Australia's conservative opposition, this is expected to win the election in September, said on Thursday that it supports lockheed Martin corporation (LMT. N) in trouble is the future of the country the front aircraft F - 35, although problems and huge cost blowout.
A day later, the pentagon F - 35 project chief attacked lockheed and engine manufacturers pratt &whitney "squeeze" give every nickel the governments of the United States, Australia said congress have confidence in the future to send the plane.
"The air force is to support the project, in the hope that the plane, and that the future of it, as we say:" senator David Johnston, the department of defense spokesman opposition, this is the forecast a Labour government and a few on September 14, votes.
"This is about our neighborhood, and perfect in our air combat theory, and resulted in a degree, the doctrine of" Johnston (Thursday) from Washington told Reuters after the presentation of F - 35 and U.S. officials, who told his plane is "over the hump" development.
Australia, the United States close Allies, is one of the largest international customers, and plan to buy as many as 100 to replace the aging fleet and F/A - "bumblebee" fighter retired F - 111 hit bomber, F - 35, in the cost of 1.6 billion us dollars.
But with $396 billion aircraft, including ground 51 plane test team in the last week delay and the difficult position of development, Canberra is expected to June in its fleet to 24 Boeing co., LTD. (BA. N) F/A - and two times of "super hornet" prevent the front gap, until F - 35 delivery after ten years.
This, and the advanced EA - g "howler" radar interference electronic weapon equipment 12 "super hornet" - Canberra will have a mixed front fleet decision.
Additional bumblebee and delivery schedule, the first company F - 35 aircraft, also known as joint strike fighter (JSF) announcement, will likely in June and the government issued new defense strategy blueprint.
Johnston, the man may decide to buy the next year if the conservative party win said, although different defense budget and time, acquisition of Australia's major political group, joint strike fighter broad support.
"In this stage, we are optimistic that Australia will become the customer a very important digital, although this figure will still is a little bit in the air," Johnston said.
Defense analysts predict that Australia might buy fifty to 70 frame this type of aircraft, not 100, though, Canberra also can buy complete phone number, but in 2020 after a long time, according to the budget recovery.
Australia also pay close attention to Washington's budget race, of which 85 billion value is due to the spending cuts on Friday to play, play, the United States air force, navy and Marine corps between defense and possible order for 2363 frame F - 35.
Lockheed company is developing three variants, the United States and the development of aircraft provided money eight partner countries - Britain, Australia, Italy, Turkey, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Canada. The other two countries, Israel and Japan, also have the order.
Canada in December mark, it can reduce the plan to buy 65 aircraft, and Italy also reduced order and Turkey have to postpone its purchase two years.
Australia is the world's second largest international buyers in Britain, small air force is a in Asia the most advanced technology and new area defense ability of the pointer.
However, a country's resources export growth slowed forced Labour government savings.
May delay, defense minister Smith (Stephen Smith) in the last year ordered 12 frame F - 35 s two years, up to now the contract commitment buy only 2.
Influential green party, including a balance of power in the senate, didn't find the day (Thursday) in parliamentary support, cancel the Australian F - 35 order, and the development assistance estimates for 13 billion energy saving.
Military purchase, the opposition spokesman Gary humphries said, a future conservative government will continue with F - 35, as a high-tech jet and Allies air force in Japan cooperation goes well, and there may be Singapore.
"This may be useful in the shape of the air force in the 21st century. JSF greater commitment, China's air force demand than any other alternative," Humphries said.
"If the JSF completely fell, it will not only is the Australian air force, but other air force in all over the world are in danger."
 



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