@nilsbratby.bsky.social
Photographer, curious nerd, and relentless seeker of snacks.
True... but it's not like the guy you supported wasn't massively worse.
November 13, 2025 at 11:43 AM
True... but it's not like the guy you supported wasn't massively worse.
Shame the SU-57 is rubbish really.
November 13, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Shame the SU-57 is rubbish really.
It might not be worth it, but reporting them to Trading Standards might be quite amusing. 🤔
April 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
It might not be worth it, but reporting them to Trading Standards might be quite amusing. 🤔
Would be very curios about what would happen if the sender asked for their money back.
April 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Would be very curios about what would happen if the sender asked for their money back.
Yep. if I had to guess they will probably keep pumping out the current models for fair while - mostly likely with increasing amounts of Chinese components, until they finally bite the bullet & start buying fully Chinese planes.
March 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Yep. if I had to guess they will probably keep pumping out the current models for fair while - mostly likely with increasing amounts of Chinese components, until they finally bite the bullet & start buying fully Chinese planes.
Nice, even if it takes awhile it would be good to see it join the line up.
March 22, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Nice, even if it takes awhile it would be good to see it join the line up.
Yeah , they were talking about co-developing a 5th gen at one point. Not sure if ever came to anything.
March 22, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Yeah , they were talking about co-developing a 5th gen at one point. Not sure if ever came to anything.
Fair, but it feels like a sales pitch rather than a real program. Doubt it’ll move beyond concept art. I doubt Russia’s fighters will ever been in demand again—West offers quality, China and drones offer affordability. Their markets gone.
March 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Fair, but it feels like a sales pitch rather than a real program. Doubt it’ll move beyond concept art. I doubt Russia’s fighters will ever been in demand again—West offers quality, China and drones offer affordability. Their markets gone.
Sure, it’s the same problem the UK and everyone else faces right now. Modern militaries are costly, and it’s tough to excel at everything. That’s why GCAP and other international programs exist.
March 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Sure, it’s the same problem the UK and everyone else faces right now. Modern militaries are costly, and it’s tough to excel at everything. That’s why GCAP and other international programs exist.
Not super surprised. The other programs weren't a super great fit for them. Are they still talking with with Türkiye?
March 22, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Not super surprised. The other programs weren't a super great fit for them. Are they still talking with with Türkiye?
Valid, but your needs are immediate and building industries takes time. It's a case of picking your battles. There are some areas where it would make sense to go domestic and ramp up local industry - for others, buy off the shelf so you have it, even if it's not perfect. Better than not having it.
March 22, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Valid, but your needs are immediate and building industries takes time. It's a case of picking your battles. There are some areas where it would make sense to go domestic and ramp up local industry - for others, buy off the shelf so you have it, even if it's not perfect. Better than not having it.
The SU-57 isn't stealthy, its radar cross-section is on par with an F-18, given stealth is a key 5th gen feature that makes it 4.5 at best- even then it lacks a lot of the system integration of other 4.5 gen fighters... but sure they could *try* to jump to 6th. I just don't see them pulling it off.
March 22, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The SU-57 isn't stealthy, its radar cross-section is on par with an F-18, given stealth is a key 5th gen feature that makes it 4.5 at best- even then it lacks a lot of the system integration of other 4.5 gen fighters... but sure they could *try* to jump to 6th. I just don't see them pulling it off.
Maybe. I wouldn’t rule Canada out, but they’d be starting nearly from scratch, requiring a massive investment of time and resources—likely more than Canada’s needs justify, and likely at the cost of other capabilities. Better to join another program and use that to help rebuild domestic industry.
March 22, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Maybe. I wouldn’t rule Canada out, but they’d be starting nearly from scratch, requiring a massive investment of time and resources—likely more than Canada’s needs justify, and likely at the cost of other capabilities. Better to join another program and use that to help rebuild domestic industry.
True, though Russia hasn't even got a 5th gen fighter yet (the Su-57 isn't 5th gen) so their 6th gen will probably never happen.
March 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
True, though Russia hasn't even got a 5th gen fighter yet (the Su-57 isn't 5th gen) so their 6th gen will probably never happen.
It’s worth noting that the US probably wouldn’t brick the F-35, even if they could, since it’s packed with non-US parts. They’d face issues fast if their suppliers cut off support in retaliation
March 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
It’s worth noting that the US probably wouldn’t brick the F-35, even if they could, since it’s packed with non-US parts. They’d face issues fast if their suppliers cut off support in retaliation
Good point, well made :D
March 22, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Good point, well made :D
Lol, small world indeed. She was lovely to work with.
March 22, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Lol, small world indeed. She was lovely to work with.
Not in all areas. The US likely still leads in stealth and some material science, but Europe and other international players compete strongly in sensors, avionics, and other key systems. The F-35 includes many non-US parts, and BAE is a major partner.
March 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Not in all areas. The US likely still leads in stealth and some material science, but Europe and other international players compete strongly in sensors, avionics, and other key systems. The F-35 includes many non-US parts, and BAE is a major partner.
They’re avoiding US parts for an ITAR-free design and can build it all themselves. Between them they’ve got top-tier engine, avionics, sensor, and aerospace firms, plus fifth-gen fighter experience from BAE’s F-35 role.
March 22, 2025 at 8:32 PM
They’re avoiding US parts for an ITAR-free design and can build it all themselves. Between them they’ve got top-tier engine, avionics, sensor, and aerospace firms, plus fifth-gen fighter experience from BAE’s F-35 role.
Yeah, the partners have said they want GCAP to be ITAR free - they got burnt by that before and they are looking to export (so don't want the US getting in the way).
March 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Yeah, the partners have said they want GCAP to be ITAR free - they got burnt by that before and they are looking to export (so don't want the US getting in the way).
A domestic fighter would cost to much and probably isn't doable for Canada alone. Their best bet is to get in on GCAP when it opens up for tier II partners (it's closed right now), try to join FCAS or team up with Sweden for their Gripen replacement.
March 22, 2025 at 8:23 PM
A domestic fighter would cost to much and probably isn't doable for Canada alone. Their best bet is to get in on GCAP when it opens up for tier II partners (it's closed right now), try to join FCAS or team up with Sweden for their Gripen replacement.
While Sweden is still sort of linked to Tempest they aren't part of GCAP (which Tempest has been rolled into) that is a UK-ITL-JP Program. SAAB will probably do it's own thing or join FCAS (the Fr-German-Spain project). It's not clear atm.
March 22, 2025 at 8:17 PM
While Sweden is still sort of linked to Tempest they aren't part of GCAP (which Tempest has been rolled into) that is a UK-ITL-JP Program. SAAB will probably do it's own thing or join FCAS (the Fr-German-Spain project). It's not clear atm.
Yep, they currently have one Carrier, that is due to be replaced in 2030's. and yes, that's definitely a problem but maybe not as bad as you think. Take IFV's, most of them are just variants of a few common chassis like the CV90 or ASCOD, and competition keeps the costs down & drives development.
March 17, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Yep, they currently have one Carrier, that is due to be replaced in 2030's. and yes, that's definitely a problem but maybe not as bad as you think. Take IFV's, most of them are just variants of a few common chassis like the CV90 or ASCOD, and competition keeps the costs down & drives development.
Then it's not worth considering. The US has proven its guarantees aren't worth anything.
March 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Then it's not worth considering. The US has proven its guarantees aren't worth anything.