Stealth Technology project in jeopardy
By JOHN C.K. DALY
UPI International Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Australian politicians are increasingly concerned about cost overruns on its projected next-generation fighter program as Britain contemplates withdrawing from the project over the Bush administration's hesitation in sharing its stealth technology.
While the Australian government shares Britain's concerns, it at present is unwilling to abandon the $256-billion project. Canberra is currently negotiating with Washington to ensure Australian military and defense contractors have access to software codes and stealth technology to maintain and service the F-35s, slated for delivery in 2014.
A 2003 bill introduced to the U.S. Congress, which would have provided Australia and Britain access to the classified technology, is currently hung up in committee and according to analysts is unlikely to be revived.
London's Sunday Times quoted British Ministry of Defense officials as saying that the United Kingdom was developing a "Plan B" to purchase an alternative European-produced fighter if Washington's reluctance to share technology continues. The final result of a British withdrawal after investing $2 billion for 150 F-35s would be to increase costs for other countries planning to buy F-35s.
The Australian reported that JSF project envisages building 2,500 F-35 for the U.S. armed forces and 100s of the aircraft for its allies.
Australia has already earmarked nearly $16 billion for up to 100 F-35s to replace it's ageing F/A-18 fleet, but defense officials cautioned that Australia could end up purchasing only 50 F-35s if the aircraft cost overruns become excessive.
Defense Minister Robert Hill said, "The Bush administration is aware of Australia's and Britain's concerns and they may have discretion under other licensing arrangements to give us access (to the technology)," adding that it was "no secret" that the JSF program could face cuts under the Bush administration's review of its military spending.
UPI International Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Australian politicians are increasingly concerned about cost overruns on its projected next-generation fighter program as Britain contemplates withdrawing from the project over the Bush administration's hesitation in sharing its stealth technology.
While the Australian government shares Britain's concerns, it at present is unwilling to abandon the $256-billion project. Canberra is currently negotiating with Washington to ensure Australian military and defense contractors have access to software codes and stealth technology to maintain and service the F-35s, slated for delivery in 2014.
A 2003 bill introduced to the U.S. Congress, which would have provided Australia and Britain access to the classified technology, is currently hung up in committee and according to analysts is unlikely to be revived.
London's Sunday Times quoted British Ministry of Defense officials as saying that the United Kingdom was developing a "Plan B" to purchase an alternative European-produced fighter if Washington's reluctance to share technology continues. The final result of a British withdrawal after investing $2 billion for 150 F-35s would be to increase costs for other countries planning to buy F-35s.
The Australian reported that JSF project envisages building 2,500 F-35 for the U.S. armed forces and 100s of the aircraft for its allies.
Australia has already earmarked nearly $16 billion for up to 100 F-35s to replace it's ageing F/A-18 fleet, but defense officials cautioned that Australia could end up purchasing only 50 F-35s if the aircraft cost overruns become excessive.
Defense Minister Robert Hill said, "The Bush administration is aware of Australia's and Britain's concerns and they may have discretion under other licensing arrangements to give us access (to the technology)," adding that it was "no secret" that the JSF program could face cuts under the Bush administration's review of its military spending.
posted by Marko at 1/06/2006 04:17:00 AM
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