Aust may spend $4.55b on US fighter planes

[corsair67]

Swift $6b fighter purchase stuns analysts
Tom Allard, National Security Editor
March 7, 2007.

THE Federal Government will spend $6 billion - $2 billion more than outlined weeks ago - on 24 Super Hornet aircraft as a stop-gap measure to provide cutting-edge fighter jet capability.

The decision, announced yesterday, has left defence analysts flabbergasted but the Minister for Defence, Brendan Nelson, said the Government had bought an excellent aircraft that could be afforded because of its "solid economic management".

The amount to be spent on the Hornet is $2 billion more than mooted by defence officials.

Less than a year ago, Defence was saying there was no gap to fill in Australia's air combat capability at all, dismissing as foolish fear-mongering the notion that an interim fighter would be required.

The gap has arisen because the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which was to replace the ageing fleet of Hornet and F-111 aircraft, is now facing lengthy delays and possible cost blow-outs.

The Federal Government opted for the F-35 in its early development phase.

That decision had two major architects - the Prime Minister, John Howard, who was impressed by a presentation on the F-35 when he visited Washington in 2002, and the now Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.

Professor Hugh White, a visiting fellow at the Lowy Institute and the head of ANU's strategic and defence studies centre, said the decision to purchase the Super Hornets was taken with incredible speed.

"This choice has been done with great haste, with little significant analysis, on an issue that involves a massive amount of money," he said.

"It's very hard to reconcile this announcement with responsible defence decision-making."

In a statement, Dr Nelson said the acquisition would include the aircraft, weapons systems, support and maintenance. He said Australia remained "fully committed" to the F-35.

He also said that the F-111 would be retired from 2010, despite analysts and Defence insiders arguing that the life of the still potent long-range jet could be extended until 2015 for as little as $1 billion.

Alluding to the problems with the F-35, Dr Nelson added "the Government is not prepared to accept any risk to air combat and strike capability during the transition" to the F-35.

He then went on to say: "There is no gap in Australia's air combat capability."

Labor's defence spokesman, Joel Fitzgibbon, said: "If there isn't an emerging air combat capability gap, why is he spending $6 billion of taxpayers' money?"

The latest US budget has more than halved funding for the US Air Force F-35 program for the next five years. More cuts are expected, as well as delays, as a hostile Congress tries to trim the huge US budget deficit.

The F-35 is the biggest single military spending item in the US budget by a huge margin.

The program to replace Australia's fighter jets is the biggest single spending project in the country's history, at a total cost of more than $28 billion.

The executive director of the Australia Defence Association, Neil James, it was "ironic" that his organisation "got bagged by air force and defence" when it suggested 15 months ago that an interim aircraft may be required.

He predicted that Australia would eventually emerge with a fleet of fighter jets comprising the F-35 and the F-22 Raptor.

[corsair67]

A different view of the Super Hornet deal; some of which may be quite true. ;D

From The Australian

Nelson fudges the Hornets test with flying colours
THE WRY SIDE
Louise Evans
March 13, 2007.

MAINTAINING the peace is an expensive business, even for a cuddly country far from the world's war zones. Defence Minister Brendan Nelson, the one who looks like Virgil from The Thunderbirds, announced last week he was splurging a whopping $6 billion on 24 new warplanes to "maintain Australia's regional air superiority".

Nelson issued a reassuring media release advising that the 24 new missile-shooting stealth fighters would keep our country safe. He didn't say safe from what.

But Nelson's media release was littered with technical jargon and complicated terms that not even a Top Gun such as Tom Cruise could decipher. So for you, dear reader, here's a translation.

"Australia is assured of maintaining its air combat capability edge with the Government's decision to acquire 24 F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet multi-role aircraft."

Translation: It's an election year and I'm terrified of getting my arse kicked by Labor on national security, a key Coalition platform. So I convinced John Howard to spend a slice of the budget surplus on some really expensive new defence toys, even though Mark Vaile wanted to spend it on roads, Peter Costello wanted tax cuts, Tony Abbott was pushing for new hospitals and Julie Bishop argued for new schools. No one can complain about value for money. I got a discount by buying two dozen.

"At a cost of approximately $6 billion over 10 years, the acquisition of the Super Hornet will ensure the transition to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter over the next decade."

Translation: I needed to paper over a two-year gap between retiring the old F-111s and the introduction of the new F-35 fighters. No one in defence considered the gap a problem but they don't have to face the wrath of Howard or the voters in an election year.

"The acquisition will include 24 aircraft, initial support and up-front training for aircrew and maintenance personnel."

Translation: Everyone from the pilots to the cleaners gets to play with the new toys, so no one will whinge about the $6 billion price tag, which will help George W. Bush with his budget.

"The acquisition of the Super Hornets will be fully supplemented as part of the 2007-08 budget process."

Translation: Giving the budget surplus back to voters as tax cuts is a waste of money. They only blow it on imported beer and four-wheel-drive prams. It's much better spent getting re-elected by buying toys for the defence boys.

"The Government is not prepared to accept any risk to air combat and strike capability during the transition to the (F-35) JSF."

Translation: I asked the Pentagon if it had Virgil's favourite plane - the supersonic Thunderbird2 (mach7.6) - but it was out of stock so I had to settle for the Super Hornets.

"The F/A-18F Super Hornet is a highly capable, battle proven, multi-role aircraft that is currently in service with the US Navy through to 2030."

Translation: It has two drink holders and central locking, but the steering wheel is on the wrong side.

"It is anticipated that Australian personnel will begin Super Hornet training in the US in 2009."

Translation: We may even get to meet Tom Cruise.

"The Australian Super Hornet program plans to contain local contractor-owned and operated intermediate maintenance and training for aircrew and support personnel."

Translation: Ron Walker and his mates may be interested in setting up a string of private companies to secure Super Hornet support contracts.

"The Super Hornet brings a significant growth of capability within the support and supply chain, low observable materials (stealth), advanced sensors and IT."

Translation: Technical gibberish that makes me sound as if I know what I'm talking about.

"Air combat capability is vital to defend the approaches to Australia and enables us to operate air power on deployment overseas. Our air combat forces are a key part of enhancing our land and maritime forces."

Translation: If people are scared, especially on matters of national security, they'll swallow anything.

"The F-111 has been a stalwart aircraft at the centre of Australia's strike capability for over three decades."

Translation: The brakes stick, the oil leaks, the CD player jumps and I'm terrified an F-111 is going to fall out of the sky before the election.

"The Super Hornet provides Australia with the greatest capability enhancement and least risk option to ensure Australia's capability edge."

Translation: The Super Hornet can eliminate a load of incoming boatpeople or illegal fishermen from 15,000m.

[FlyNavy]

The ABC 7:30 report at "1930" today Thursday in Sydney has a story about the Super Hornet and other matters. I guess the nay sayers have their say?
Phil.

[corsair67]

Yes, well I had to laugh again when the subject of the F-22 came up again: which part of "The US State Dept will not allow export of the F-22 to other nations" do these guys not understand?

I also liked Nelson's comment that he was not prepared to risk an F-111 shedding a wing, because they were forced to remain in service after 2010.

[FlyNavy]

The ABC reporter either did not understand the issue NOR was he well informed by the 'nay sayers'.

Probably another reporting fiasco will be on Sydney Channel 9 TV "60 Minutes" between 7:30 & 8:30 on Sunday evening 18 March next.
Phil.

[corsair67]

C'mon Phil - 60 Minutes is a very reputable news show! ;D

As if they'd ever be involved in a media beat-up?

[FlyNavy]

Channel 9 "quality TV" [Sunday & 60mins] in Sydney has gone downhill rapidly in recent times. It looks like the reporter goes for a ride in a RAAF Hornet. Wooeee. The promo shows the JSF amongst other things.
Phil.

[corsair67]

Even though I make fun of 60 Mins, I'll still be watching to see if there's anything groundbreaking in their story.

At least it's not as bad as TT or ACA!

[FlyNavy]

I'm guessing that this initial report has come either from the "Australian" or the "SMH" newspapers.

www.adf-serials.com/invboard/index.php?showtopic=548&st=0&

>>>>>RAAF cops $1.5bn jet blowout
By Ian McPhedran

Stealth fighter price up by 12 per cent
RAAF waiting for 100 at up to $16bn
Labor policy to aim for F-22 Raptor

TAXPAYERS will be slugged with a 12 per cent increase in the cost of new fighter jets for the RAAF which could now hit $100 million each.

The Australian and US Governments and the builder of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Lockheed Martin, have consistently said that the Australian aircraft would cost about $66 million each.

But according to Washington's influential General Accounting Office, the average cost per aircraft had now risen from $98 million to $113 million.

The US bean counters don't even acknowledge the $66 million price tag.

The Howard Government wants to spend up to $16 billion for 100 of the so-called next generation stealth fighters to replace RAAF F-111 and F/A-18 fighter planes.

Based on Air Force, Navy, US Marines and British orders for 2458 planes, the auditors put the average cost blowout at 12 per cent to $113 million each, almost twice the Australian figure.

Labor has promised to review the nation's air defence strategy, including the JSF buy, and says the Government should push the US for access to the much more capable F-22 Raptor jet bomber.

Australia is not due to sign up to the JSF until 2008, after the next federal election.

Opposition defence spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon said the Government should reconsider its plan based on strategy rather than short-term politics.

"The gravity of the threat posed by the Government's incompetence demands a review of our air capability plan including the JSF," he said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the price gap between the JSF and Raptor was closing by the day.

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson has made it clear that the Government would have to be very confident about Lockheed Martin's costing and delivery schedule before it signed up in 2008.

The stealth fighter has been in development for six years and the Government is committed to spending up to $16 billion on the machines and support.<<<<<<<<<
________________________________________

Maybe the report cited above is a hint at what the RAAF really wants:
"...push the US for access to the much more capable F-22 Raptor jet bomber."

Yes we need a replacement for the F-111 and a BOMBER version of the RAPTOR will do nicely thank you very much. Years ago I saw reference to a drawing board version of a Bomber Raptor with larger fuselage and wings and of course the bombs were to be carried in an internal bomb bay to retain stealth.

I don't follow the RAAF debate closely but this is the first "inadvertant' reference to such a possibility. Maybe the reporter just got it wrong. Nothing new there.

Of coure the present Raptor is the best freakin FIGHTER in the known universe. :-)
Phil.