Expensive and...
single engine only. Have a look at the article in Flight Global. Canada is worried about the cost and whether they REALLY do need it.. AND as an s/e over the icy boondocks bigger then europe. And the GAFA and Timor region are just as big. And the range is????
2 donks as in the Super Hornet at least gives an option if one fails.
Japan is also expressing reservations about the costs.. and other countries as well, no doubt.
Sure, technologically speaking it will be very 'whizz-bang' and stealthy etc, but then you hang a cannon pod on it... and there goes yr stealth.
Like Canada Oz did NOT fully look at ALL the options.
Being the "good friend" we just opened the wallet. BIG TIME.
There a many issues that are more deserving of the big bucks in Oz than just shovelling billions overseas.
Do we really need 100? Can we afford it?
And just as we are entering the age of remote surveillance and pilotless a/c.