But the $6 billion deal has perplexed defence experts, leaving
them pondering Nelson's decision-making style and questioning the
strategic wisdom of the Super Hornet buy.
"This is pure Nelson, no one else. It was him and him alone,"
observed one senior government source yesterday.
"It's a needless and expensive decision. It makes no operational
sense and it makes no sense in terms of value for money," commented
another senior defence source.
The decision of purchaseing Super Hornet is rush and clouded
with secrecy.
Suddenly,Aussie Defence Minister decided it is dangerous to fly
35
years old F111 beyong 2010 and worry about delivery of F35.
A$6 billion is not cut from defense budget.So generous Aussie tax
payers!!
1.
Four months ago the $6 billion acquisition of 24 F/A 18F
Super Hornets was not on defence's radar other than as a fall-back
option should serious problems arise with the RAAF's planned
purchase of the F-35 joint strike fighter.
Air force chief Geoff Shepherd told a parliamentary committee in
early November that there were no indications the joint strike
fighter program was blowing out. "The Government has announced
that, if the JSF were to slide substantially - and once again, I
stress we are seeing no indications of that - the purchase of a
bridging fighter would be a last resort," he said.
