Fed: RAAF chief says it won't get better than JSF

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2008
Fed: RAAF chief says it won't get better than JSF

By Max Blenkin, Defence Correspondent

CANBERRA, Dec 2 AAP - The new Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will be the best multi-role
combat aircraft in the world, fitted with the best equipment and flown by the best people,
RAAF chief Air Marshal Mark Binskin says.

In a no-holds barred endorsement of the controversial aircraft, Air Marshal Binskin
said Australia would need about 100 to maintain a credible level of air combat capability.

He said new Russian-built fighters entering service across the region were decent aircraft
and could be part of a decent air combat system, depending on what extra equipment they
were plugged into.

But at the end of the day, JSF would be much better, he said.

"We are looking at what will be the best multi-role aircraft in the world," he told
an Australian Strategic Policy Institute function.

"It will have the best radar, the best defensive system of any of those aircraft in the world.

"It will be supported by the best airborne early warning and control aircraft and the
best tanker in the world and flown, maintained and supported by the best people in the
world."

"I've got to tell you - the system ain't going to get any better than that."

The JSF is set to replace ageing F/A-18 Hornets and F-111 bombers, entering service
with the RAAF around the middle of next decade.

However, the government has yet to commit to buying the aircraft. That will likely
occur around June next year.

The JSF remains in development with only two aircraft having flown. The project has
been strongly criticised over possible cost blowouts, delays and technical shortcomings.

Air Marshal Binskin said all modelling of future air combat needs indicated Australia
should acquire around 100 of the new aircraft.

"No matter how you model it, the modelling keeps coming back to 100," he said.

Air Marshal Binskin said the RAAF was now in a position where 73 per cent of its aircraft
were in the final 10 years of their life.

Only the four new C-17 transport aircraft are at the start of their service life.

Set to enter service in the next decade are 24 Boeing Super Hornets, six Wedgetail
airborne early warning aircraft, five Airbus tankers and an unspecified number of new
maritime surveillance aircraft.

He said the RAAF had already started the process of retiring the F-111 strike bombers.

AAP mb/kms/jfm

KEYWORD: JSF

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