True AusieNick, the one operating out of Richmond is scary to whach operating.
Bemused by the milkcrate seats for Paxs in the cockpit!!!!!

Given your experience with the French Mirage and associated AAM's, I'm glad to see such a good partner has seen the error or thier ways. No question the F/A 18 has brought its own challenges, but at least the manufacturer and seller are standing behind it.

"Westernizing" an IL-76 would not be a simple or cheap endeavor. Even the ADI folks would have to be sceptical of that project.

The Austrailians may do what the Brits did and that was basically hired them from the USAF on wet lease(Dont Know what "wet" means!) but thats what i was told by RAF Flight crew on the way back from Senegal in 98'. Basically it comes down to one thing if your countries defence policy is actually heading towards 'Expeditionary Warfare' or its financially worth it because those C-17/s are very capable but awfully expensive to run.

With the major updating of equipment and the huge purchases going on at the moment the cost factor of running C17s will be interesting to watch!!!
M1 tanks are soon on the way. The Army are already training with the Aussie ones in the USA.
New Navy ships and the JSF, lots of money being spent, and we are still losing people to the better paying private sector.

Originally Posted by Warwick

With the major updating of equipment and the huge purchases going on at the moment the cost factor of running C17s will be interesting to watch!!!
M1 tanks are soon on the way. The Army are already training with the Aussie ones in the USA.
New Navy ships and the JSF, lots of money being spent, and we are still losing people to the better paying private sector.

The price of freedom is never cheap.

the C-17 is about the only large military transport around now. The C-130 is still in production, and a really good bird, but not big or fast enough. Militarizing an airbus product would be impossible. the russians build solid aircraft BUT. They are normally short-legged and have thirsty engines. Putting western engines and electronic goodies on them would bring the price to that of a c-17. And with no chance of getting your parts cut off if russia suddenly turns evil again.
Can anyone imagine the USA suddenly getting pissed at the aussies. too much blood has been shed togather.

2.2 Billion set for the purchase of the planes last night in the federal budget. Looks like we will be buying them outright.

Sounds like a good deal!