Originally Posted by
rattman
and yet they still cant get meteor integrated in the aircraft. Tier one partner is just a supplier. Italy has a much greater footprint in the F-35 than the UK
Yeah but no....the Italians certainly disagree with you rattman. Best estimates on workshare are about 15% Vs 4% respectively, and as mentioned above - tier one does not equal supplier. As an example, full participation in OT&E which is rather vital for combat air.
In November, deals were awarded to repair 65 of a possible 774 repairable items on the aircraft for the period 2021-2015, with 48 going to the UK, 14 to the Netherlands and three to Australia, making up eight percent of the total items to repair.
"Small Italian firms were excluded because the competition favored large companies," said Crosetto.
As it won the lion's share of contracts, the UK ministry of defense said in November that its F-35 maintenance site in Wales would consequently become "a global repair hub providing maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade services for F-35 avionic and aircraft components."
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017...oken-promises/