Non-Subscriber Extract
Australian government commits to Super Hornet acquisition
By Julian Kerr
18 March 2008
The Australian government has confirmed the purchase of 24 Boeing F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet fighters.
This is despite accusing the previous administration, which originally ordered the aircraft, of having failed to make sound, long-term air combat capability decisions during its decade in power.
The decision followed the release of Part A of an Air Combat Capability Review ordered by the new government in January. This focused on the feasibility of retaining the Royal Australian Air Force's ageing F-111 strike aircraft beyond 2010 and the status of Australia's plans to acquire the Super Hornet.
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said in a statement on 17 March that cancelling the Super Hornet would bring significant financial penalties and create tension between the United States and Australian governments. In February, defence officials said cancelling the Super Hornet contract under the US Foreign Military Sales programme would cost between AUD400 million and AUD600 million (USD375 million to USD563 million).
Image: Australia is purchasing 24 Super Hornets: an aircraft already in service with the US Navy (US Navy)