F5's!

[Irish Marine]

I think that the Irish Aircorps pilots should be fitted with F5's that are revamped. They would be ideal for Ireland and they could easily defend the Country.

I dont know about you all but if I was in Ireland at the moment I would be screaming at my reps to build up the Defence Forces in all areas.  

I am not trying to rub it in, but I go to bed at night with the sound of F16's flying over the house. They are from an airforce national guard unit.  Its time the Aircorps got the jets that can defend Ireland.

Silver, Lude and all you motivators on this board, I look forward to hearing your views on this topic. '>  

[Imshi-Yallah]

You're a bit behind the times on this IM, the F-5 has been discussed ad nauseaum here over the last several months, but even at the expected reeconditiong cost of 100m for 12 with weapons and very low maintenance costs they would be a political sticking point and are the bottom of the current priority list.
If the AC ever operates another foghter it will probably be one of the aircraft marketed as F-5 successors, i.e. M-346, A-50 or MAKO.

[Lude]

Thanks for the compliment IM!
But Imshi is very correct in what he says about the F-5 topic,its been debated to death and well,it's just a pipe dream at the moment.
We need to get back to basics I suppose before we even consider getting fighter/interceptor aircraft or whatever you want to call them.
I don't really consider myself qualified to talk about possible procurement of aircraft and stats and technical info and the like anyway! Especially with people like Imshi about,The man knows a stupid amount of stuff!!I mean before I found this discussion board I thiught I was pretty well versed in the world of military aviation!
Anyway,coinnigh leis an obair mhaith.

[Imshi-Yallah]

Quote

Especially with people like Imshi about,The man knows a stupid amount of stuff!!

Errr no, not really I just take a little time to research my answers...doesn't everybody?

[Lude]

I'm doing the leaving in two weeks,I don't have time to scratch my head not alone research answers!
But thats me!
Saying that,i'd better say slán for a short while.
You's won't be missin much with me not hear anyway!
Slán agus beannacht lads.

[Silver]

IM,
I agree that the AC should have fighter/interceptor aircraft.
Perhaps someday they will.

However, in the current economic climate I cannot see it happening anytime soon.
I can see how it must look from your point of view, being surrounded by fighter aircraft on a daily basis.
But, I suspect there is no appetite, at government level, for the purchase of fighter aircraft in the near future.

I personally believe that replacement of the current helicopter fleet and procurement of 6-8 Medium-lift Helis are the current AC priorities.

With the PC-9M's arriving early next year, that will bring the AC back up to "Fouga standard" (the PC-9 being better than the Fougas in most respects - Actually, it's a pity they didn't order 12 !)
That, I suspect, will be as good as it gets for some time with regard to lightstrike/intercept aircraft.

Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear, IM.

[FiannaFail]

Lude,
Best of luck in your Leaving Cert Exams!
FF '>

[Irish Marine]

Lude,
Good luck with your leaving cert!!!!!!!!
 '>