From todays “The Age” newspaper
Australia pushes for US plane secrets
March 16, 2006
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AdvertisementSENIOR defence officials have warned the US that Australia could pull out of the revolutionary Joint Strike Fighter Project if the Americans refuse to share high-tech secrets.
Australia’s defence adviser in Washington, Rear Admiral Raydon Gates, told the US Senate Committee on Armed Services yesterday that Australia would not join the next stage in the aircraft’s development unless the US guaranteed to pass on access to the technology built into it.
Australia is a partner with the US and several other countries in the development of the fighter, which is intended to replace the ageing F-111 bombers and F-18 Hornet fighter bombers.
A final decision on the stealthy, multi-role aircraft will be made by the Government next year. It is expected that Australia will buy up to 100 of them for around $A16 billion.
The Royal Australian Air Force feels badly burnt by the US refusal to part with intellectual property rights that would have made its fleet of F-111s and Hornets easier and cheaper to maintain and upgrade. That has meant considerable work that could have been done in Australia has gone to US companies — a costly trap the RAAF does not intend falling into again.
“Guaranteed access to necessary JSF data and technology to allow Australia to operate and support the JSF will be required before we join the next phase of the project,” Admiral Gates said.
The transfer of the highly sophisticated stealth and other technology in the fighter will require changes to the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
“Legislative change is a difficult road,” Admiral Gates said. “I don’t think it is impossible. I think it is critical to us.”
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