F/A-18 Hornet
BBC
|
 |
Australia Chooses between Russian and American Jets
The Australian Defense Ministry is looking for replacements for its outdated fighter jets, the Herald Sun newspaper reports. Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon stated that the ministry would like to convince the United States to waive its export ban on the fifth generation of F-22 fighter jet, which is its first choice to replenish Australian forces with. The ministry is also interested in obtaining F/A-18E/F Super Hornet as a transitional measure.
Australia has also been considering acquiring Russian Su-34 bombers and Su-35 or MiG-29 fighters. According to the newspaper, Australian politicians have observed them in their neighbors' air forces and are impressed with their high capabilities and relatively low prices. Australia negotiated with Russia for the purchase of a large number of Su-27 planes, but the negotiations failed because of political reasons.
The Australians now consists of F-111 and F/A-18 dating from the 1970s and 1980s. Earlier negotiations with the Americans for F-35 models, but they eventually decided against buying them because of missed deadlines and rising prices.
www.kommersant.com
|
|
|
