On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 17:12:55 -0400, Peter Kemp wrote:

On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 16:05:18 -0500, Alan Minyard
wrote:

Interesting comment, since the EU does not have "modern fighters" or
strike aircraft.

Then neither does the US since there are large numbers of F-16s in the
EU, which after the MLU program are comparable to Block 50.

I was speaking of EU produced a/c, sorry if that was not clear.

Some might think the Tornados are relatively capable strike aircraft
as well, espcecially the GR.4 that the RAF has been using in anger.

They also have no organic strategic transport aircraft and
no usable attack helos. Of course the UK has some Apaches, and
may get some C-17's.

So the Dutch Apaches (D model IIRC but without the radar) that have
been deployed in the Balkans don't count, nor do the Italian
Mangustas,

Striped down Apaches are not all that bad, as I said I was referring
to "organic" assets

nor do the C-17s that the UK already has?

I was not aware that deliveries had already started.

And strategic
lift in general is recognised as a weakness, hence the A-400 orders.

The A-400 is not a capable strategic lifter, IMHO.

Al Minyard