Yesterday, Australia told that they cancelled the purchase of 24 unit F/A-18 F Super Hornet from Boeing about A$6.6 billion ($5.8 billion) and seek another choice for their EF-111. The choice fall between F-22 Raptor, Su-35 Superflanker or RSK Mig-29 Fulcrum. The last booth option come from Russia Industry.
Australia seek for replacement for their electronic combat aircraft EF-111 at 2010. The choice fall at Super Hornet(claimed by Boeing as the first export customer for this type of plane). But lately performance review from Dr Brendan Nelson, former secretary of defense that this plane performance even can’t compete with Asia built military aircraft. After test flight, he said that this warcraft are lacked from acceleration speed and payload range capability limited. Meanwhile to wait until F-35 finished developed and produced, it will predicted at years 2013 until 2015 if there is no single problem that will due to late producing and delivered to Australia armed forces. Australia has obligation to purchase about 100 unit of F-35 Lightning. He was actually accused by new secretary of defence Joel Fitzgibbon said that Brendan didn’t hear any explanation from expert before placing order.
Before, Japan has also requested to purchase F-22 Raptor from US but being blocked due to cost matter. F-22 raptor(export version) cost is about US$ 1 billion.
It’s being in negotiated by Australia Armed Forces, if the cancelation happened, Boeing will charge them about US$ 300 million. This happened because Super Hornet for Australia is in production process.
This is just my view only: if Australia agree to purchase F-22 and the US Congress agree to sell for them. Is their government budget enough or may wasted.
Few Question : will be tax payer later see purchase F-22 isn’t necessary? Will they later highly protesting their own government for this purchasing plan? Will the F-22 cost/price go cheaper?
Australia defense department see that only F-22, Su-35 or Mig-29 might a better match to Singapore RSAF F-15SG(which will delivered this year at certain phase),F-16D block 51/52 , Indonesia Su-27SK/30MK TNI AU and Malaysia with Su-30 and Mig-29(which upgradable to type-35).
Few alternative option for Australia for their armed forces such as:
- EF – 2000 @USD 70 MILLION
- SU-35 / 37 @USD 30~45 MILLION
- RAFALE DASSAULT @USD 90 MILLION
- MiG-29/-35 @USD 20~30 MILLION
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