US allies threaten to withdraw from fighter program

The Joint Strike Fighter -- a US$256 billion fighter program led by the US and co-financed by eight allied nations -- was supposed to be a model of international cooperation. But because of US reluctance to share critical technologies, some of the biggest partners are now threatening to withdraw.

This week, Britain, the principal foreign partner in the program to build the next-generation radar-evading supersonic jet, delivered an ultimatum at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Lord Peter Drayson, Britain's top weapons buyer, said that the UK would withdraw from the program unless it gained better access to software technology and stealth technology needed to maintain and upgrade the planes it buys.

The British have invested US$2 billion so far and planned to spend another US$9 billion to purchase 150 aircraft.

In addition, Drayson objected to a recent Pentagon decision to drop a Rolls-Royce-General Electric engine from the program and pointedly told the committee that his country was not even consulted on the decision. The Pentagon wants to make Pratt & Whitney the sole engine supplier for the warplane, a move it says would save US$1.8 billion in near-term costs. The cut is in the Pentagon's budget proposal for next year.

"I am spelling this out because it is so important to make our intentions clear," Drayson said. "Without the technology transfer to give us the confidence to deliver an aircraft fit to fight on our terms, we will not be able to buy these aircraft."

To underscore its resolve, Britain's "shadow" defense secretary, Liam Fox, who represents the Conservative Party, attended the hearing to emphasize bipartisan support.

"The British public is getting the perception they are being asked to shoulder their share of responsibility, but not get their share of contracts," Fox said in a telephone interview.

"We are not being treated as a partner of the United States, but as a supplicant," he said.

Meanwhile, five other nations that are partners in the project -- Norway, Italy, Turkey, Denmark and the Netherlands -- met last Friday in the Netherlands to lay the groundwork for a united front to deal with the Pentagon.

Along Canada and Australia, these foreign partners have contributed more than US$4 billion to the program's US$20 billion development costs.

Should country withdraw, it would be a major embarrassment to the US-led effort, particularly since the Pentagon is trying to sign up partners to commit to the production phase and indicate the size of their orders.