So Here it is. After some delay, as youll see I have been researching. I intend initially to say WHY we should have jets and then WHAT we should have and HOW much they cost. When I see what your responses are I will then post HOW we can get them and afford them.
Why We Need JetsFirst of all the PC-9s are fine planes and they are good to have as lead-in trainers. Keep them. However they arent jet interceptors. I will not insult everyones intelligence by telling you why we need jets although I am AMAZED that some on here think we dont. If you havnt worked it out by now you never will. Briefly there are at least 3 defence based scenarios why we need jets.
1. A hijacked airliner heading for the centre of Dublin, Knock, Baldonnell, wherever, on a suicide mission.
2. A possible Civil War scenario in the North, which can happen ANY time. Dont let the Peace Process fool you.
3. Attack by foregn forces, unlikely, but not impossible.
However one of the main reasons we need interceptors is NOTHING to do with defence. Its to do with holding our heads up and being taken seriously. I dont believe that any modern first world country with an air arm can call itself an air arm with no jets. Its a matter of NATIONAL PRIDE. Its a joke frankly. A bad joke at that. This is not to denigrate the IAC but rather our various governments who have presided over this situation and who have allowed this to happen for years. You can add a few more reasons to have jets if you want.
What Jets We Should BuySo having established that we REQUIRE jets what next ? Of course the first cry is theres no money. Incredibly some of the people on this board actually swallow that. What UTTER rubbish ! Of course theres money and we CAN afford it,as I will prove in my next post. Yes, ok, we arnt going to be buying 25 Saab Gripens or 15 F-16s BUT, we can still get very good, up to date, interceptors at a very reasonable price. Two spring immediately to mind, the British BAE Hawk and the not dissimilar Aero Vochodny ALCA 159 from the Czechs.
I believe that both these aircraft were looked at as possible IAC replacements. As a matter of interest the South Koreans are selling 17 used Hawks for £41 million. Crazy stuff eh ? But it gets better. I say we get between 6 and 8 Czech ALCAs and heres why.
ALCA means Advanced Light Combat Aircraft. Heres what it can do. Nearly 600 mph at sea level. Full HUD and radar capacity. Can use Sidewinders, Mavericks or ANY other NATO ordinance. Basically its EXACTLY what we need. Now pin your ears back because what Im about to say is true.
The IAC can get
6 ALCA 159s to include Simulators. Spares. Technical Equipment. Full Pilot and Tech Training and some ordinace for the princely sum of ?
$58,000,000 Or thats
£37,000,000 Or thats
42,000,000 Euros. ********
Sorta makes some other deals seem not so good eh ? Now a MERE 42,000,000 Euros spread over 10 years is just 4.2 million a year. Frankly if this State cant afford that we should shut up shop right now. Yes, we know it will cost a bit more than that with fuel etc and weapons but we already spend money on fuel and weapons so whats a few million extra ? Thats it. We can have jets. Get on with it. Now if people still think we cant afford that I actually have another idea for where to get the necessary 42 million. I will post that after I see some replies.
******** How do I know this ? Because Aero Vochodny just did this exact deal for the Bolivian Air Force. They might even throw in an extra plane if we send them some Guiness. Cheers.
PPS. People should wake up in Ireland. This is the ONE state in western Europe that actually DOES need jets. We live on the most politically and militarily UNSTABLE island / country in Europe outside of the Balkans. You need to look ahead at what MIGHT happen in the next 10 to 15 years, not what the situation is now. BTW the situation now isnt that good either, contrary to popular belief.
Over but not out !
