Bring on those Aussie Flankers!

GTX · January 27, 2008, 12:11:40 PM

QuoteAustralia to weigh Lockheed Martin F-22 against Russian fighters
By Siva Govindasamy

Australia plans to request access to the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, and will also consider Russian fighters such as the RSK MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-35, as part of a review of its air power capabilities that could lead to the cancellation of a A$6.6 billion ($5.8 billion) deal to buy 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets.

The USA has refused even close allies like Japan access to the F-22, and Congress has banned its export. But defence analysts say that if Washington changes its mind, Japan and Australia could be among the first to get access to the type. Lockheed is also keen to keep its Raptor production line open, but a major deterrent to a foreign sale could be a reported development cost of up to $1 billion for an export variant.

But Australia's new defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon appears unfazed in the search for a replacement for the country's General Dynamics F-111s and early-model F/A-18s. "I intend to pursue American politicians for access to the Raptor," he says. "We are well placed to talk to Democrats on the Hill about it, and I want it to be part of the mix." Fitzgibbon adds that all possible options will be studied before a decision, including the possible purchase of Russian aircraft. "The review should include a comparative analysis of everything on the market," he says. "I'm not ruling out any option."

Observers believe that domestic politics are behind the Labor Party's review of almost A$23 billion worth of defence projects, given that the Liberal Party which lost last December's general elections is now led by former defence minister Brendan Nelson. He was at the helm when Australia pledged to buy 100 Lockheed F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which are not expected to enter service until the middle of the next decade, and when it ordered its Super Hornets as a bridging measure.

Fitzgibbon charges that the latter decision was made without "proper due process or capability justification", while some military analysts have claimed that the aircraft lacks the stealth capability and power that the Royal Australian Air Force needs. The new defence minister has meanwhile warned that Canberra will not tolerate further delays or an increase in the cost of the F-35.

Another project under review is a A$1 billion programme to upgrade 11 Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters. These were purchased in 1997 to operate from the navy's Anzac-class frigates, but have been plagued by technical problems and have been grounded for more than a year. Nelson said last year that the helicopters will be upgraded and available for use around 2010.

(Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/10/220724/australia-to-weigh-lockheed-martin-f-22-against-russian-fighters.html)

Something to think of on this Australia Day holiday.

Seriously though, I don't expect anything to change from what is currently planned with the Super Hornets/F-35s.

BTW - no political or other silly responses please!

Regards,

Greg

dragon · January 27, 2008, 01:15:41 PM

Reality or not, one must admit that an SU-35 in markings similar to those found on an RAAF F-111 would be a good looking plane. Anyone done one of those in the profiles section?

GTX · January 27, 2008, 01:21:10 PM

Richard (aka Gekko_1) did some - though not a Su-35 per sae - this was my favourite:

Regards,

Greg

Wyrmshadow · January 27, 2008, 01:35:21 PM

Aussie F-22

Martin H · January 27, 2008, 02:03:28 PM

with the current export ban on the F 22 thats as close as were going to get, seeing a raptor with RAAF markings.

Shasper · January 27, 2008, 03:05:33 PM

While not wanting to anger the almighty Moais here, whats the deal behind canning the F-18 deal in the first place? I mean the Pigs are'nt going to last until the JSF comes online w/o major spending, and that's the whole reason for getting the Bugs in the first place, rgt?

Shas

Scooterman · January 27, 2008, 04:23:32 PM

Quote from: Shasper on January 27, 2008, 03:05:33 PM
While not wanting to anger the almighty Moais here, whats the deal behind canning the F-18 deal in the first place? I mean the Pigs are'nt going to last until the JSF comes online w/o major spending, and that's the whole reason for getting the Bugs in the first place, rgt?

Shas

Same here. I just don't see the point of canx the Superbug buy. But I'm not in the Aussie gov't so who knows! Hell, I thought the buy was still on until reading this thread.......

Sisko · January 27, 2008, 04:51:35 PM

I guess the government didn't want to spend billions on aircraft to tide us over until the aircraft that is costing us billions is ready.

Forget Flankers Aussie Rafales!!!!!!!

Captain Canada · January 27, 2008, 06:42:13 PM

Or Typhoons !

But Flankers would certainly be cool....and the -29K for your new a/c carrier !

Supertom · January 27, 2008, 07:56:59 PM

Quote from: Captain Canada on January 27, 2008, 06:42:13 PM
Or Typhoons !

But Flankers would certainly be cool....and the -29K for your new a/c carrier !

What? Australia's getting a new carrier?!

GTX · January 27, 2008, 09:01:26 PM

QuoteWhat? Australia's getting a new carrier?!

Not quite, though I'm sure the media will call the 2 Canberra class LHDs Carriers:

With a displacement of around 27,851t, they will be considerably less than the approximate 45,500t of the Indian INS Vikramaditya which is to eventually operate the MiG-29K and would thus be a bit dicey to try to use with the MiG-29K (without considerable modification). F-35Bs are a slim possibility though.

Regards,

Greg