Here is a news item that did not make the front pages of many American or international newspapers: Australia is buying the F-35 supersonic jet fighter aircraft, which has yet to be built - the US says the craft presently is in development. The Royal Australian Air Force wants to upgrade its own military capacities, and the F-35 is slated to be one of several new planes that will take fighter-plane technology through the mid-21st century.
The Australians had many options, including the new Eurofighter, the F-22, or updated variation of the F-15 or F-16, but the F-35 was chosen for various reasons.
The first reason was cost: The F-35 would cost $ 35-45 million per plane to build, whereas the F-22 would cost nearly four to five times that amount. StrategyPage.com's Harold C. Hutchison observed, “So, for the price of one F-22, one could get three F-35Cs or close to four F-35As (the variant Australia is purchasing). One F-22 can beat one F-35, but one F-22 would have a much difficult time beating three F-35Cs or four F-35As – and it can not be in three or four places at once.”
Next, Australia wanted a sophisticated airplane with stealth properties that would remain ranked as one of the more superior fighters for years to come. The F-35 fulfills those requirements; while the F-15 and F-16 are great planes today, they are not technically superior to the F-22 or even the F-35.
The final reason was politics and inter-operations. Australia has been allied with the US for the past century and has fought on its side in numerous conflicts, including both Gulf Wars. As Harold Hutchison wrote, "Australia and the United States have fought together in a number of major conflicts dating back to World War I. There is very little expectation that this will change, and Australia wants to simplify matters like logistics." As with the United Kingdom, the Australian Air Force will include the F-35 as part of its arsenal. Since these Anglo countries have fought side by side with the US, it only makes sense to have similar airplanes for joint operations.
Article comments
1 - SFC SKI
Well, it does make sense, especially as the US/UK/ANZAC coalition has been about the only one where the memebers are on par with the other, and likely to back each other up as well.
As for the F-35, what other fighter aircraft has been used by the US Navy, Marines, and Air Force, as well as by many NATO and SEATO partners? (How long will it take for someone to get the right answer?
2 - JR
Um..., the F-4 Phantom?
3 - SFC SKI
You are correct!