"Q: Why is this necessary? Why can't we build from the experienced gained from the Collin's?
A: I'm sure the Swedes (who provided the basic design) would help for the right price."
Yet our government seems to prefer buying Japanese subs rather than developing from the Collins. I didn't mention it because I thought it would be already known here. There's a competitive process which has been setup up, but many people believe it's just a sham to give the appearance of respectability to a decision which has already been made. What I wrote above seems to be the common sense approach, but it looks like it won't be taken. Is there a good reason for this?
"As to the Australians buying Russian aircraft and equipment...seriously? I am absolutely sure that that is simply not going to happen in my life time."
I acknowledged it's not possible because of politics, but I stand by my view that we should be considering Russian planes, due to their price and better endurance. I know a former RAAF pilot who put this idea into my head. The Russians would take the money with a promise of geopolitical neutrality. Not going to happen, I know, but it should.
As for the refueling issue, if a fight our northern neighbour broke out (which we have to plan for, even though nobody sane wants it to happen), the F-35s would need to refuel both before meeting the enemy, and after. If our planes are required to bomb targets or loiter for any period of time, they'd have to refuel within striking range of enemy planes. We could get caught with our pants down. We need something which can safely refuel further South.
The old F-111 was perfect for our needs. Good endurance, and it could run fast from anything a potential enemy could through at us. It was getting too old to keep flying safely, but I feel like we are replacing a good plane with a less capable one in the areas which matter to us.
A: I'm sure the Swedes (who provided the basic design) would help for the right price."
Yet our government seems to prefer buying Japanese subs rather than developing from the Collins. I didn't mention it because I thought it would be already known here. There's a competitive process which has been setup up, but many people believe it's just a sham to give the appearance of respectability to a decision which has already been made. What I wrote above seems to be the common sense approach, but it looks like it won't be taken. Is there a good reason for this?
"As to the Australians buying Russian aircraft and equipment...seriously? I am absolutely sure that that is simply not going to happen in my life time."
I acknowledged it's not possible because of politics, but I stand by my view that we should be considering Russian planes, due to their price and better endurance. I know a former RAAF pilot who put this idea into my head. The Russians would take the money with a promise of geopolitical neutrality. Not going to happen, I know, but it should.
As for the refueling issue, if a fight our northern neighbour broke out (which we have to plan for, even though nobody sane wants it to happen), the F-35s would need to refuel both before meeting the enemy, and after. If our planes are required to bomb targets or loiter for any period of time, they'd have to refuel within striking range of enemy planes. We could get caught with our pants down. We need something which can safely refuel further South.
The old F-111 was perfect for our needs. Good endurance, and it could run fast from anything a potential enemy could through at us. It was getting too old to keep flying safely, but I feel like we are replacing a good plane with a less capable one in the areas which matter to us.
