he Super Hornet will be no match against the fighters that are becoming prolific to our north.
I though the air threat relatively "benign" and the Super Hornets procured to meet a shortfall or capability gap emerging in the strike role ie: F111 retirement.
The threat to our north, at present, is best viewed in the context of recent tensions between Malaysia & Indonesia. The Indonesians deployed their entire operational F16 force to Balikpapan- four aircraft with limited weapons capability.
Their SU27's are unarmed. A recent follow on order may address this. Still, in terms of numbers, electronic and information technology, training, access to weaponry, the Indonesians are a long way behind the RAAF. Now throw in servicability to the mix.
Malaysia, by all accounts, is having serious problems with servicability too. Perhaps, the recent Sukhoi purchase, will be riddled with the corruption which left their Mig 29 fleet with servicability rates around 30%.