They say they need x numbers of "ridiculously expensive" platforms anyway. Coming second in an air campaign costs about the same and isn't much fun.
They can park those "ridiculously expensive" and buy another fleet of something else and all the expenses that go with that. If they can afford it.
Among the platforms doing CAS, The USA are doing CAS with F-16, F-15, FA-18, B-1, B-52.
I would speculate that the logistics is why Australia wanted to go with one platform and why they initially wanted to retire the FA-18e after 15 years in 2025, to be replaced with F-35. It may be why with the addition of the extra 12 growlers to 36. It has become cost effective to keep them.
Last edited by a1bill; 20th Aug 2015 at 00:27.