Hmmm. I found another comment, from a different article by the same reporter, of the same briefing, much more interesting. You either take all the points reported with a pinch of salt, or accept all as true. But I would suggest not cherry picking the ones you prefer........
Adelaide Now:
Australia flies away with strike fighters for $60m each
AUSTRALIA will pay a "flyaway" price of less than $60 million each for up to 100 of the world's most advanced fighter jets.
However, the final price will be more than double that for a total package that includes weapons, sensors, training and through-life support for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
At about $140 million each the single-seat jets will be cheaper than the 24 two-seat Super Hornets purchased by the Howard government for $6.6 billion, or more than $220 million a copy.
The multi-role JSF jet is powered by the biggest fighter engine built, that propels it at almost twice the speed of sound.
However, Australia's aircraft will not be as stealthy as the U.S. version........
Ian McPhedran travelled to the US as a guest of Lockheed Martin