MilAvHistory
patreon
Early Acces: Germany - NEW Eurofighters but NO Super Hornets
🕑 Added 2020-11-12 13:27:31 +0000 UTCHey all,
I interrupt regular service for an update to an older video from April this year. Back then, it was 'announced' that Germany wanted to buy Super Hornets. Of course, nothing had been decided back then, since the political and bureaucratic process was still outstanding. A few days ago then, the German Parliament allocated funds for new fighter jets, Eurofighters, not Super Hornets.
Next week: Dornier Do 31 Inside the Cockpit (still fighting with the footage on that one, as explained in an earlier update).
Hope you enjoy the video,
Chris
Comments
Military Aviation History
Definitely, and in Germany this dynamic has only become increasingly important
Military Aviation History
Hey Sean, there is definitely more of a public discussion in Germany now whether arms should be bought from the US, rather than from somewhere else. But much of this has to do with public opinion about the US/ the politics of the US, rather than a campaign about 'buying German'. The relevant regions and companies of course will of course be putting out pressure, but that happens largely outside the public sphere in my opinion.
Sean Tyson
Thanks for another insightful, informative video, Chris. I really enjoyed the brief remarks on the procurement process in Germany, including your asides regarding the politics. I'd be very interested to get your thoughts on the merits of the Eurofighter vs the F/A-18 (and the EA-18 for the EW role. I'd be fine if someone else has done that comparison already, if you want to point the way. One other point regarding Airbus and workers in Bavaria: Do you see groups like this putting pressure on the German government for more procurement that will benefit their own workforce (vs. potentially ordering a better option from foreign vendors) as an increasing trend? Again, thanks for the video, it's always a pleasure.
Chris, as a Yankee historian who is well aware of the US Military Industrial Complex, I'm well aware of the desire of the US military hierarchy's desire to promote domestic industry's products even when other, sometimes superior equipment is available (like the Canadian Avro Arrow!--and not meaning that the Eurofighter is inferior to the FA-18 Super Hornet, by the way), so I am not surprised. Politics and national priorities affect military procurement processes profoundly (sorry for the alliteration).
