My only fear is that they will only start delivering the engines from 2030 onwards, and then supply 8–10 engines every 3–4 months – in other words, dragging out the deliveries as much as possible and delaying them further and further, so that we see no positive benefit.
We shouldn’t rely on them; otherwise, we’ll be left. The TEI TF 35000 programme should be pushed forward – even if the first production batch of the engine in 2028/29 has only 600–800 operating hours – in order to significantly increase the pressure from the US to deliver all the engines by 2029/30.
I also hope that they will pay in instalments, i.e. upon delivery. The US has probably get total of 2–3 billion US dollars from us – partly for the F-35s already paid for and partly for the deposit on 40 F-16 Block 70 aircraft plus ammunition. To date, we have received nothing but a hollow handshake with dust....