Peter La Franchi/CANBERRA
Plans for the Royal Australian Air Force to acquire the four Boeing 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft put on hold earlier this year, along with 100 new frontline fighters for service by 2012, are included in a 10-year, A$5.3 billion ($2.8 billion) aerospace development package.
The plans, revealed in Australia's defence white paper released on 6 December, include new requirements for an additional squadron of marinised Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk helicopters to operate from the Royal Australian Navy's amphibious transports.
The Australian army's long delayed project Air 87 armed reconnaissance helicopter is also given the green light, with a new tender for 20-24 aircraft to commence within three to four months. The army will also have a tactical UAV in service by 2007 and a replacement for its ageing Matra BAe Dynamics Rapier surface-to-air missile batteries by 2009. Additional Saab RBS70 air defence systems are to be acquired over the next four years.
The white paper also outlines plans for either a major airframe overhaul or a replacement of the RAAF's Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Meanwhile, Boeing 707 in-flight refuelling tankers will be replaced by up to five new refuellers, which are to enter service by 2006. The RAAF's 12 Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules transports are also to undergo a life extension programme by 2008, which effectively terminates Australian plans to exercise 12 C-130J options.
The paper confirms that the suspended Light Tactical Airlifter project will remain shelved. Instead, the RAAF's ageing de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribous will be refurbished, with a new project to explore the acquisition of new airlift capability by 2010.
Senior defence department officials say the new airlift project will explore a range of options including additional heavylift helicopters, but stressed that aircraft such as the Boeing C-17 Globemaster will not be considered.
Existing upgrades to the RAAF's F/A-18s are to be expanded to include major structural refurbishment to ensure the fighter remains operational until 2012-2015. Upgrades are to be completed by 2007.
The Air 6000 fighter programme will acquire 75 F/A-18 replacements, with the other 25 aircraft destined to supplant General Dynamics F-111s. Australia will continue to consider long-range strike alternatives including cruise missiles and unmanned combat air vehicles.
Source: Flight International
