I wouldn't normally post something like this, however, due to the nature of the topic and it's ramifications to several OOB's in the game the CBS Network "60 Minutes" will be doing a segment on the status and issues surrounding the F-35 Project. It will be on later today at 7pm EST. For non TV viewing options you can go to CBS.com or 60minutes.com and it should be availible Monday morning EST.
I still think by the games current calendar only the U.S. will have it. Another European country this past week is having to reduce it's current order by at least a third to a half of projected due to economic reasons. Other countries have already reduced their orders for the same reason. For every potential plane lost to reduced orders will increase the cost of the rest of the planes to be built. Sequestration is still alive and well in the U.S. DOD however some minor relief was granted in the budget vote taken just before or just after the holidays on the two year budget deal approved in the U.S.
Concerning the joint Russian/Indian PAK FA/T-50, Russian sources are indicating it should be operational by late 2016. However I've come across several reports to indicate not all is well with this project ethier. Pulling all the information together I have seen mid to late 2018 probaly is more realistic at present.
Many are still holding to the idea that both the F-22 and PAK-FA/T-50 are comparable and nullify each other. But most agree they are both better then the F-35. Chinas plane has already been found to be a "paper tiger" however they are working hard to catch up but are still several years behind everyone else. Of interest to watch will be Malaysia, S. Korea and Japan which will probaly develop a 5th Gen fighter jointly, the ground work has already been laid for this.
Have been tracking these for years now with posts in this thread. That's the update I figured I better do this with the info advert above.
Regards,
Pat
