Defence minister confirms interest in F/A-18Fs to replace F-111s F-35 will be too late
Australia has asked the US Navy for price and availability data on 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets to replace its General Dynamics F-111s from as early as 2010.
The green light for further discussions with the USN was given at the November cabinet national security committee meeting that also approved Australia's participation in the next phase of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme.
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Canberra has requested pricing for 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets from the US Navy |
Defence minister Brendan Nelson's office confirms that Australia has asked the USN for data on the purchase or lease of one squadron of two-seat Block 2 Super Hornets, because its JSFs will be delivered from 2014 - too late to replace the F-111s, which are to be retired between 2010 and 2012. Only the F/A-18F is being considered for the stopgap requirement.
The minister's office says Australia is looking for early delivery of aircraft from Boeing's current production line in St Louis, Missouri. This would mean the navy giving up delivery slots, as the US Air Force did to enable expedited delivery of Boeing C-17 transports to Australia.
The office says a decision on whether to proceed with the Super Hornet deal is expected early next year. This could coincide with finalisation of the 2007-8 budget in February.
Nelson signed the JSF production, sustainment and follow-on development memorandum of understanding in Washington DC in mid-December, along with Canada, the Netherlands, Turkey and the UK. Australia has a requirement for 100 new fighters, but it has not been decided whether any Super Hornet acquisition will reduce the number of F-35s purchased. The minister's office says the F/A-18Fs are required to avoid a capability gap, and could eventually be replaced by F-35s if Australia buys the full complement of four squadrons.
The Royal Australian Air Force already operates F-18A/Bs, which are being upgraded, and would be the first international customer for the F/A-18E/F, although Malaysia has been discussing the purchase of Super Hornets for several years.
The USN, meanwhile, is believed to be close to announcing that it needs up to 200 more Super Hornets to fill a fighter shortfall caused by delays to the JSF programme.
Source: Flight International
