OK, another short post; was, at some point a while back, following the wierd and wondrous convolutions of the Aussie gummint thinking about "defence". So ..
Can't, at this point, do much in the way of "links" and citations; but seem to remember that the "Howard" gummint spent (with some sort of 'back room' in a hotel deal ?) quite a few millions (billions?) on some sort of fantasy "on the drawing board" aircraft that the yanks were developing (thinking about?).
So far we have bought (?) a few "Super Hornets" while waiting for the USA to come up with something that actually works in present airspace. (F15's have short range. Anyone with any nous would just target the Air refuelling tankers). . Other sources say that these aircraft are already superseded by the new Russian Sukoi, which the Indonesians (and other nations in the vicinity) already have (vale the F1/11).
Still can't figure out why, logically, we don't buy the latest - already operational - Russian Sukoi. Ah, says another source. What we need is "air superiority". Something that can out-perform the new Sukoi.
Um, by the the time the "fantasy" USA "Joint Strike fighter" becomes operational - too late.,
Was pleased to note that the Aussie Defense materiel purchase organisation (plagued by beaurocracy, and 'patch battles' within itself) did, actually, make some sort of 'intelligent' (?) decision to purchase the Navantia Air warfare destroyer from Spain. At least we get something, relatively soon.
The "proposal" from the yanks would have left us feeding the USA "military/industrial" industry with a few billions per year without result, until there was a colony on Mars (or something).
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/26/3077789.htm?section=justin
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