Oz ponders JSF alternative

More trouble looms for the F -35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as Australia starts to look for an alternative.

The AAF currently need to replace their F-111;s and F/A-18 Hornets in 5 years. A plan for a A$3Bn.upgrade to the Hornets has foundered due to problems with integrating upgrades of it's new new electronic warfare self-protection system.

The JSF deal will be the biggest ever (A$15 Bn.) for Australia and they have seen that ther UK have cut their orders , back and have weighed the problems that the removal of Rolls Royce as an altrenate engine supplier can affect the whole deal.

Defnece Minister Brendan Nelson is alert to the risks to maintain the vital, strategic aerial dominance in the region. Although imprressed by the JSF he is reported to say that if delivered on time and on price , it would be , "the correct aircraft for us".

In the frame to replace the JSF deal are the F-22 Raptor, the F-16 and Super Hornet. However it is unlikely that they will ignore the opportunity to evaluate the Grippen and who knows the arlarmingly fast and manouverable Mig -32 ?

"What most threatens the thing is beyond our control, the US political system," Dr Nelson has said. Congress is threatening to cut the program's budget and has ordered its manufacturer to test more before production.The chickens are coming home to roost as the US defence budget recooils from the massive Iraq spend and looming problems in the Middle East...