Specifically, it is about night vision and identification capability, electronic self-defence and the lack of main armament with radar-guided missiles beyond the field of vision. The night identification capability and electronic self-protection were canceled by ex-defense minister Norbert Darabos (SP) in 2007 for savings of 250 million euros. The medium-range guided missiles were canceled by Darabos’ predecessor Günther Platter (VP) so that the purchase price of the politically controversial jets remained below the two billion euro mark, according to military expert Georg Mader from the online platform militaeraktuell.at.
armament “non-existent”
The main armament “has not existed since 2003”, four American all-weather radar guided missiles (BVR) would have been provided. These were canceled by Platter. What remains is the IRIS-T secondary armament. There are around 20 of them. This infrared-guided weapon cannot be used in bad weather and from a great distance because it needs a heat source, says Mader. The expert also advocates buying additional two-seat aircraft. This would save you the extremely expensive training in Italy and Germany.
Source: Nachrichten
