Then perhaps the RAF should purchase the jets they have cancelled thus alleviating the hassle of the spare radars and supply / sell them to NATO. As the savings by cancelling was a pittance of the aircrafts actual contract costs, they could recoup that money by selling them to NATO, it might also mean NATO would gain the aircraft earlier than later, if that is not feasable, then sell the radars that are being built to NATO to install in their new aircraft, thus shortening the time to service.

They have stated that they wont sell the radars. They want to retain them as still hope to buy 2 more aircaft in the future if not they will use them as spares for the inservice aircraft. Allegedly the US offered to buy them and were rejected,

Also hearing one of the RAAF wedgetails will be deployed europe and leased to NATO via boeing to form the basis of the training program when it starts to happen. Theres currently an australia wedgetail flying in poland supplimenting the awacs cover for ukraine being supplied by nato. Assume the time its been there that there has been NATO members flying and observing it cloesely. I said when it was originally announced this will be massive sales demo opportunity for boeing and hope they dont screw it up

Was he lost?

Don’t worry folks, Grant Shatts is ‘reviewing’ the Wedgetail order.

but…

What’s the betting that a final decision as to whether to revert to the original numbers will be made after the election….

This is the reply I received to my questions, but not sure it makes it any clearer?

Thank you for your e-mail of 24 October 2023, on behalf of your unnamed constituent, regarding the costs of the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail order. The original order for five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft was signed in March 2019 to provide a technological edge in an increasingly complex battlespace. However, following the 2021 Integrated Review, the Department took the decision to reduce the scope of the E-7 Wedgetail fleet as part of a wider balance of investment across Defence. The E-7 Wedgetail programme will provide a 5th Generation Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability, with a Multirole Electronically Scanned Array, that is interoperable and interchangeable with key allies. It is a step change in capability from E3 Sentry. A three aircraft fleet will still enable the UK to deliver its national and international commitments, including to NATO. It is not correct to say that the Department is paying the same price for three aircraft and their associated equipment as it would for five aircraft. This is due to contractual renegotiations that were undertaken after the Integrated Review decision. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) anticipates overall savings of around £701 million as a result of this decision. The MOD was committed to the purchase of five Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, however in keeping radars 4 and 5, it allowed the Department to offset costs for the provision of spares for the aircraft. I would also take this opportunity to reiterate that the E-7 Wedgetail programme has generated hundreds of skilled jobs in the UK: in Boeing Defence UK programme management; aircraft modification in Birmingham; in the UK Supply chain, including Defence Aids Suite development with Leonardo; and at RAF Lossiemouth through infrastructure construction, aircrew and groundcrew training and aircraft maintenance. I hope this explains the position. Yours sincerely, JAMES CARTLIDGE MP

Bit of a burn at boeing

But Boeing’s track record on execution, even for mature platforms, is dismal, at best,” Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory who has often been critical of Boeing, observed in an email to Breaking Defense.

“But on the other hand the core of the system comes from Northrop Grumman,” Aboulafia added, referring to the MESA. “o there’s hope.