Originally Posted by
AerialPerspective
(they were never even close to an F-111 replacement, nothing came close, except maybe the 15SE) and we already had an installed base of the earlier model.
The F18 was a highly successful RAAF aircraft for its time. There was no other realistic option other than the F16. The F15A option, required Australia to pay for its air-ground development. The Strike Eagle was a decade away and an unknown option to the RAAF. The initial F15E development was privately funded by McDonnel Douglas eventually overcoming the Pentagon's F15 mantra of not a pound for air to ground!
The almost weird Aussie F111 ethos left the aircraft in service way too long. Perhaps your F15E the better option to see the F111 out of service a lot earlier. This may have happened if somebody forecast the rise of a belligerent China. However, the RAAF does seem well placed for any regional contingencies with the Growler, SH and F35 for the next few years ( if fuel supplies secure ). Beyond that it's frightening.