With the game-changing F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft in early production stages, rival manufacturers are racing against time.

The F-35 may be regarded almost as much as an industrial and coalition-building policy as a warplane made by Lockheed Martin Corp., the Pentagon's No. 1 supplier by sales and the world's largest aerospace company.

It is a projected trillion-dollar enterprise designed to dominate the lucrative global fighter market for decades while plugging its buyers into US-built defense architecture and cementing US-led alliances.

Unlike Lockheed's premier F-22 fighter, which flies faster, and higher and can range further, the radar-evading F-35 was intended for export from the get-go. It will be the first radar-evading, "stealth" US warplane to be exported. And it is the costliest planned acquisition in Defense Department history.

The United States intent was to invest  $300 billion for a total of 2,443 F-35s in three models to be delivered over 28 years. All are derived from a common design and would use the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide.

The F-35 is co-financed by the United States, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway. All the US partners appear to be largely sticking to plans to buy a combined 750 F-35s, at least for now.

F-35 competitors include the Saab AB Gripen, the Dassault Aviation SA' Rafale, Russia's MiG-35 and Sukhoi Su-35, and the Eurofighter Typhoon made by a consortium of British, German, Italian and Spanish companies.

Chicago-based Boeing, the Pentagon's No. 2 supplier by sales and the top US exporter, says it sees big opportunities for its F-15 and F/A-18 fighters before Lockheed works out kinks in the F-35, production ramps up and the price goes down.

An expensive investment Combat aircraft are expensive weapons. Advanced combat aircraft cost $50 million each or more. Producers promote sales because they lead to substantial income and employment.

However, the acquisition and use of combat aircraft places a heavy burden on military budgets and the decision to acquire them will shape the direction of defense policy and doctrine for many years.

Key suppliers and recipients Russia and the USA are by far the largest suppliers of combat aircraft (and, indeed, of all major conventional weapons).

The Russians moved into the global arena in the past decade and fought hard to lose the poor PR image of dumpy and dangerous aircraft. While Russian aerodynamism has never been in question there had been doubts expressed over its limited success with power plant technology. But by advocating a blend of western knowhow and manufacture  the Russian aero-industry declared itself open to co-operative ventures and brought to the table its own expertise.

Looking at the region it had established a strong presence through now obsolete MiG 21s and even earlier aircraft. But the present offer of MiG 29s and Su-30 derivatives at a fraction of the cost of western equivalents as well as a range of heavy duty transporter workhorses provides Russia with a jumping off board. The nations in the Russian market could go shopping based on their history with the former Soviet Union and their present relationship with Russia and the attractiveness of what Moscow has on offer.

The Russians are keen to market their Sukhoi range especially since it comes with an advanced trainer. Exports of Su-27 fighters enabled Russia to preserve its operational air force. This aircraft, considered the most capable fighter aircraft in its class, may well point the way to a fifth generation of air fighters

The Su-27 is a dogfighter's dream. It has dazzled pilots with its ability to attack in the middle of screaming dives and ascents, setting 36 world records.

The combat aircraft segment is wide open with as many as nine different contenders in the fray for global markets.

They are all primed to take to the skies, most of them already in the production stage. According to expert assessments there could be space for several more enterprises to get the green signal. What makes this even more intriguing is that despite what is seen as a wide choice there are still air forces looking for a tenth aircraft.

When the F16 began to go in for its systematic upgrades there were those who felt it would be a wasted effort and the aircraft, though immensely successful, would go the way of all such veterans like the WW II Spitfire, the ME109s, the Hawker Hunters, the Phantoms and the Sabrejets. The way the story unfolded right to the present Block 60 upgraded derivations of the Fighting Falcon not only provided Lockheed Martin a major boost but also set the pace for the rest of the industry. The MiG 21 was also given the same refurbishment, as was the Tornado in the United Kingdom. Today, the derivative in its upgraded version promises a fresh lease on life for these aircraft and also poses a challenge to the ones on the anvil in that air forces around the world might reconsider major investments if it can manage to maintain its defense parameters with upgraded aircraft.

Yet, in delightful counterpoint there are strong indications that some market needs are not being met.