Flyingblind
23rd May 2012, 08:00
Seems the price for ALL the gear and support will come to circa $1.7bn if the Australian Government wish to accept the FMS offer for the upgrade of 12 RAAF Super Hornets.
Whilst the price is eye-watering to this tax payer for what is essentially an upgrade (and support costs) for 12 aircraft, it is however illustrative of the costs of this type of system.
Question is, in these times of economic austerity does the capability actually have a mission? after all, the host service never historically operated this capability before.
Or am I missing something and this is all part of supporting/training for F35 type capabilities?
US prices Australian Growler upgrade at $1.7bn (http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-prices-australian-growler-upgrade-at-17bn-372216/)
Whilst the price is eye-watering to this tax payer for what is essentially an upgrade (and support costs) for 12 aircraft, it is however illustrative of the costs of this type of system.
Question is, in these times of economic austerity does the capability actually have a mission? after all, the host service never historically operated this capability before.
Or am I missing something and this is all part of supporting/training for F35 type capabilities?
US prices Australian Growler upgrade at $1.7bn (http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-prices-australian-growler-upgrade-at-17bn-372216/)