Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasman
I agree that it would not be a 'bad choice'. The RAAF would almost certainly include a number of EA-18G Growlers in an enlarged purchase and the cheaper cost, compared with the F-35 might allow the total number of aircraft to be increased beyond 100. A mix of say 48 FA-18Fs, 48 FA-18Es and 16 EA-18Gs would enable the air combat force to equip 5 squadrons with the SH. However, I still think a mix of SHs and JSFs is the most likely outcome. I do like the idea of some EA-18Gs being included in the mix.
I don't see much likelihood of the RAAF being in conflict with a neighbour but I think there is a strong possibility of RAAF squadrons being deployed in support of coalition operations. For that reason the RAAF needs aircraft that can operate efficiently alongside American squadrons. Both the SH and the JSF will be able to fill that role well.
Cheers
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My point exactly. Between Malaysia and Singapore, both of whom are close enough allies that we train their pilots and have an integrated AD network them, Indonesia who have neither the money nor the inclination to put together anything resembling an offensive air force (All they need is a few Interceptor sqdns, ground attack planes for which I think the Frogfoot would be a superb buy, light airlift and helos), Thailand doesn't have the money and only really needs to be able to dominate Burma (Not hard), and all of Indo-China who are 25 years behind the rest of the nighbourhood, Australia faces no local threat. Nor will we in the 20-25 year period these planes will be serving.
For coalition Ops, the thing we need to consider is are our forces going to be value added. I think the Multi-Mission nature of the SH is very handy for this, and we could probably afford more of them (given the likelyhood of further cost blowouts for the JSF) than we could of the F-35. Then again, I doubt we'll pull out now.