Someone should do a paper on where the RAAF would stand today, especially in view of upcoming JSF project risks, if procurement policy was along the lines of purchasing proven technology.
Debatably, the Singaporians, with the introduction of the Strike Eagle around the time we retire F111, will eclipse the RAAF in on paper capability. What is startling is their budget for their air combat group say, is a supposed fraction of what the RAAF spends and has spent. They have been operating assets such as tankers, AWACs and area SAM's for twenty years aswell.
In a few years, when the RAAF has under 40 operational F18's. Singapore will have 70 F16's and possibly 20 Strike Eagles. They are under no pressure to commit to JSF prematurely and maintain participation in the project.
If government believes the ADF needs 100 JSF's, air warfare destroyers and other high tech items for our defence needs 2015 plus. It must be a big oversight or strategic exposure, to leave us with under 40 Hornets for our defence for the next ten years.