Australian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

ADM received a response from Defence in relation to questions posed on the risk delays to the Block 3F software development presented to Australia's own tranche of aircraft.

"The Australian Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program has been structured to enable the

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in the annual Director Operational Test & Evaluation (DOTE) report to be resolved before IOC is declared in 2020," a Defence spokesperson said.

"The schedule for completion of operational Test and Evaluation is being closely managed by the F-35 Joint Program Office in consultation with Partners and industry.

"Australia has staff embedded in the F-35 Test and Evaluation Program, who represent Australia’s interests and work as part of the broader program outcomes. This day to day engagement provides confidence and insight that enables Australia to understand the implications of issues as they arise and put them in the broader context of the Australian F-35 program.

"While the DOT&E reports on the performance of the test and evaluation program by 'exception', it does not mention the significant milestones and positive progress achieved by the Program over recent years.

"In regards to milestones specific to Australia’s program:

• Australia’s first two JSF aircraft were delivered to the international Pilot Training Centre (PTC) at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona in December 2014 and are proving to be some of the most reliable and available in the aircraft pool at the international F-35 PTC. Australia’s next eight aircraft will be delivered to the PTC in 2018.
• Australia’s first two pilots are instructing international F-35 students at the international Pilot Training Centre.
• In late 2015, the Australian KC-30A successfully completed testing for air-to-air refuelling with a United States Air Force (USAF) F-35A, which was a significant milestone in demonstrating interoperability and preparing for the ferry of Australia’s first two aircraft.
• To date, Australian industry has won more that $US550 million in production and development contracts through the program. Australia has also been assigned regional F-35 depot maintenance responsibilities for airframe and engine.

"The Australian F-35 capability is achieving positive progress and is on track towards meeting Australia’s Initial Operating Capability (IOC) requirements by the end of 2020. The first two aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Australia in late 2018.

"The program is arguably the most global, highly complex and technically advanced Defence acquisition program ever undertaken."

The spokesperson confirmed the first two Australian aircraft to arrive in country at the end of 2018 are planned to be fitted with Block 3F software, that which has been the source of contention with the DOT&E. The director, Michael Gilmore, has said the JPO’s current plan to finish work on the software — the final software block required for full warfighting capability — by July 31, 2017 was “not realistic”.

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Naval Today said:

Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, told media during her recent visit to Japan that volatility in the region required a closer co-operation between Australia and Japan.

This comment was widely interpreted as a sign of inclination towards the Japanese bid for the Australian A$40 billion submarine deal.

Separately, Australian news site SMH reported that the Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida during the same meeting urged the Australian government to award the deal to Japan stressing the strategic advance the cooperation between the two countries would bring.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Australian minister however noted that a definite decision would be made only after the competitive evaluation process was completed.

Chief executive of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan’s primary bidder, was reported as saying that both French and German options had “shortcomings”. Namely, he insisted that the French proposal of retro-fitting a nuclear submarine with a diesel engine was not a good idea.

Media also reported analysts commenting the German option of scaling up a 2.000 tonne submarine to a 4.000 tonne one as a solution being wrought with “significant engineering challenges”.

Also, U.S. officials have been reported as saying that the U.S. feared the French defence contractor, DCNS, who would be building the submarines would leak confidential information about the U.S. technology that would be fitted on the subs.

The Future Submarine Program is the largest Defence procurement program in Australia’s history and represents an investment in the order of $40 billion in Australia’s security. A decision on who will be building the Collins-class successor submarines is expected to be made mid-year after Australia’s new Defence White Paper is released.

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Chief executive of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan’s primary bidder, was reported as saying that both French and German options had “shortcomings”. Namely, he insisted that the French proposal of retro-fitting a nuclear submarine with a diesel engine was not a good idea.

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Brumby said:

An update on Australian F-35s

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FORBIN said:

Ok... it is really not fair and exact in more !!!



1/ DCNS design is based on Barracuda real name Suffren Class a little little more small 5300 t max/ 4900 t 99m/97 m insignificant.

and 2/ Suffren in construction does not suffer problems only the head of serie received finally in 2018 planned before in 2017 nothing unusual for the first in a more a very sophisticated SSN.

In more DCNS do good job all Classes have well work : Agosta, Rubis that will also last longer than expected and in more are more available now ! SSBN and Scorpene which don' t have problem as S-80... !!!

Build submarines since 100 + years and is a reputable shipyard which is serious.

I am French but no chauvinism here only the true... and still an objective opinion whatever the subject or country.

For Type 216 different based on or about Type 212/214 him identical but more big a ocean going variant the 2 much more small as Type 216.
Until now German Shipyard have do good job with Type 209/212/214 nonetheless he start from further...

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Jeff Head said:

Fact is, probably any of the three would/could provide an excellent solution to the Aussies.

I have always felt that the Japanese had a "leg up" on the competition because they have a boat already that is the right size with the right kinds of range and who are in the immediate area.

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China cautions Australia over defense cooperation with Japan

BEIJING — China urged Australia on Wednesday to take into account the feelings of Asian countries as Sydney contemplates buying a fleet of submarines from Japan in a deal worth as much as A$40 billion ($29 billion).

In some of his strongest remarks on the possible deal, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters Australia should consider the context of Japan’s role in the Second World War in developing its military relationship with Tokyo.

Wang made the remarks to journalists during a joint briefing with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

“We hope that in military cooperation with Japan, Australia will take into full account this historical context and take into consideration also the feelings of Asian countries because of that history,” Wang said...... to read more click here

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SamuraiBlue said:

Ms. Bishop's response was a good counter, "“In terms of the historical context, Australia has moved on. We moved on many years ago, in relation to both Germany and Japan, and the submarine competitive evaluation process will be focused on capability.”

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