f*******e
发帖数: 1061 | 1 http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/F-35-fighter-jet-disappoints-Japanese-defense-industry?page=1
Hopes dashed for bigger role in production, posing risk to domestic
companies
The ministry is planning to purchase 42 F-35s. Of them, four will be
imported as finished products. The ministry will then choose how to further
replace the aging SDF fleet, but the F-35 is not a lock because Boeing,
which lost the F-35 bid to Lockheed Martin, is looking to make a comeback.
Parts manufacturers for aircraft with advanced stealth capabilities require
high-level security clearance, which make technology transfers difficult. As
such, Japanese defense businesses need to consider whether they could
recover their investment by marginally supporting only 42 jets.
Demand for defense equipment has helped nurture the domestic aerospace
industry after World War II. After the seven-year hiatus imposed by the
Allies, the industry began acquiring technologies for maintenance and repair
of U.S. military aircraft and for production of SDF aircraft parts.
As appreciation for Japanese technological prowess rose, so did the ratio of
Japanese-made parts in Boeing civilian aircraft. Now these parts account
for 35% of each Boeing 787, including the main wings. The defense sector
accounts for only around 20% of aircraft production.
Japan's aircraft industry is experiencing a leveling-off. It is heavily
dependent on Boeing, but orders from the company are falling. Hopes for the
Mitsubishi Regional Jet -- the first domestically made aircraft in half a
century -- were high, but its development has been repeatedly delayed.
Aerospace companies have long dreamed of transforming from parts suppliers
into aircraft manufacturers. But the dream has yet to materialize.
Defense aircraft won't be enough to salvage the aerospace industry. If there
is little prospect for manufacturing new aircraft, the industry should try
become better at maintenance of engines and other parts, leaving bold ideas
behind as they strive to stay relevant. |
|
