Raptor jet fighter tops defence wish list
Ian McPhedran
January 06, 2008 11:00pm
ONE of the world's most expensive fighter jets is on the Rudd Government's wish list for talks with air force chiefs on the nation's future defence capability.
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said the US-built F-22 Raptor would be in the mix with Russian-built Sukhoi and MiG fighters as the Government reviews options to replace the RAAF's ageing F-111 and F/A-18 Hornet fighters.
"I intend to pursue American politicians for access to the Raptor to get it into the mix," Mr Fitzgibbon said. The Raptor has to date been been banned by US law from export to any country, even to close allies such as Australia.
The Howard Government all but signed up to the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter but Labor has stepped back from buying $16 billion worth of the yet-to-be-built next-generation aircraft.
When The Courier-Mail asked if the Russian-built jets would be considered, he said all options would be included.
"The review should include a comparative analysis of everything on the market," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
"I am not ruling out any option," he said.
That would include the latest Russian Sukhoi 35 and Mig 29 fighters, which compare favourably on performance and very favourably on price compared with US-built planes.
Full story
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23014867-953,00.html
Ian McPhedran
January 06, 2008 11:00pm
ONE of the world's most expensive fighter jets is on the Rudd Government's wish list for talks with air force chiefs on the nation's future defence capability.
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said the US-built F-22 Raptor would be in the mix with Russian-built Sukhoi and MiG fighters as the Government reviews options to replace the RAAF's ageing F-111 and F/A-18 Hornet fighters.
"I intend to pursue American politicians for access to the Raptor to get it into the mix," Mr Fitzgibbon said. The Raptor has to date been been banned by US law from export to any country, even to close allies such as Australia.
The Howard Government all but signed up to the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter but Labor has stepped back from buying $16 billion worth of the yet-to-be-built next-generation aircraft.
When The Courier-Mail asked if the Russian-built jets would be considered, he said all options would be included.
"The review should include a comparative analysis of everything on the market," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
"I am not ruling out any option," he said.
That would include the latest Russian Sukhoi 35 and Mig 29 fighters, which compare favourably on performance and very favourably on price compared with US-built planes.
Full story
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23014867-953,00.html