Order for early warning platforms dominates the country's defence budget for 2004-5
Australia is to expand its future fleet of Boeing 737 "Wedgetail" airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to six platforms, having exercised an A$326 million ($230 million) option for a further two aircraft.
The acquisition dominates Australia's planned defence budget for the 2004-5 financial year, which was released on 11 May. Total defence outlays are forecast at A$18.6 billion, with the Royal Australian Air Force's operating budget to total A$4.6 billion. New capital outlays are projected at A$3.8 billion, down on previous official defence spending estimates, with A$186 million transferred from capital to operational usage.
The budget funds a restricted competition for the RAAF's Project Air 5409 bomb improvement programme, which is expected to result in initial operation by 2008. The contest will be between Raytheon's Enhanced Paveway and Boeing's Joint Direct Attack Munition, with Israel Military Industries also positioning for the project. Funding for a follow-on stand-off weapon will also be considered.
The budget brings forward funding approvals for a self-protection upgrade to Australia's Lockheed Martin C-130J transports by one year, with A$20 million to fit missile approach warners and countermeasures systems. This will comprise equipment acquired offshore but fitted locally, indicating the configuration is likely to follow a US Air Force baseline, rather than Australia's Project Echidna self-protection architecture.
Defence minister Robert Hill says the two additional AEW&C aircraft will cost "about 10% of the original contract price for a 50% increase in capability". Hill says Australian industry will secure additional work packages worth A$80 million, as four of the six aircraft will be fitted in-country. A further A$75 million is expected through export activities.
Australia's first Wedgetail will make its debut flight on 20 May, launching a six-month test programme to prove the system's final aerodynamic configuration. A further series of flight tests from March 2006 will focus on the second production aircraft, which will be fitted with a full onboard mission suite.
The RAAF will receive its first aircraft in November 2006. No announcement has been made on an option for a seventh aircraft.
PETER LA FRANCHI / CANBERRA
Source: Flight International
