Australia: Green light to buy Joint Strike Fighters

Ahh all the fanboys and flag wavers rejoice, while the rest of us here cringe…

Green light to buy Joint Strike Fighters
Posted 39 minutes ago

Defence Minister John Faulkner has announced the Government has approved buying the first batch of Joint Strike Fighters.

Senator Faulkner says the Government will buy 14 of the next generation aircraft at a cost of about $3 billion, to be delivered from 2014.

He says the fighters are expected to be ready for testing in five years and in operation from 2018.

The Government plans to buy 100 of the fighters, which would be Australia’s biggest defence purchase.

Senator Faulkner says the Joint Strike Fighters will make sure Australia maintains its strategic capability.

“This decision was underpinned by an unprecedented level of analysis and evaluation by Australia, the United States and the seven international Joint Strike Fighter partners,” he said.

“Australia’s air combat capability is of immense importance to our national security.”

Senator Faulkner says the Government will deal with all the risks of buying the Joint Strike Fighters.

“Of course costs and schedule risks will remain as the Joint Strike Fighter is developed. However, any risks will be carefully measured, mitigated and managed,” he said.

Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston believes the Government underestimated the cost of its Joint Strike Fighter program and expects the project costs to be higher.

“I don’t think there’s any weapons with these aircraft and I think the costs are running away from us a bit,” he said.

“What the Minister is saying doesn’t bring us up to speed with the accounting and economic support that is necessary in terms of dollars for this project,” he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2753590.htm

And the funniest bit and I quote:

Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston believes the Government underestimated the cost of its Joint Strike Fighter program and expects the project costs to be higher.

“I don’t think there’s any weapons with these aircraft and I think the costs are running away from us a bit,” he said.

“What the Minister is saying doesn’t bring us up to speed with the accounting and economic support that is necessary in terms of dollars for this project,” he said.

Amazing isn’t it? While the Liberals were in power we were told it was worth buying no matter what…
Now in opposition, the Shadow Defence Minister is up in arms about the cost…