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Equipment acquisition: surprise from the skies
Posted By Peter Jennings on March 13, 2013 @ 05:00
Media reporting indicates that we'll soon see an announcement about the acquisition of twelve extra F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter aircraft at a cost of US$3.6 billion. This will be a classic example of a ministerially driven defence equipment acquisition—the occasional (and often very short-notice) buys that aren’t anticipated in Defence plans. Of course all Defence acquisitions are ultimately sanctioned by government, but most emerge from lengthy force structure development processes. I'll write on the Super Hornet decision specifically in a second post. For now I'll provide a potted history of some notable ‘surprise’ equipment announcements over the last quarter century.
I did raise … the possibility of Australia acquiring additional F-111 aircraft from approximately 250 being taken out of service by the United States. The reaction from the United States was positive. Since my return there have been further discussions within Government and a team will be sent to the United States to negotiate the purchase of up to 18 F-111 aircraft.
In order to fully meet future regional and global security challenges, the Government has decided to increase the size of the Army by two additional battalions. The Army will increase to eight battalions, with an additional 2600 soldiers recruited.
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[1] Image: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/F-1111.jpg
[2] indicates: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/australia-to-buy-12-super-hornets-fighters-20130301-2fa8a.html
[3] Senate Estimates Committee exchange: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22committees%2Festimate%2Fecomd910911a_ecb.out%2F0052%22
[4] reported on a visit to Washington: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/displayPrint.w3p;adv=yes;orderBy=customrank;page=0;query=aircraft%20Date%3A01%2F10%2F1992%20%3E%3E%2031%2F10%2F1992;rec=0;resCount=Default
[5] history of the F111 in Australian service: http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/Details/431/From-Controversy-to-Cutting-Edge.aspx
[6] claimed that the two weren't linked: http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/04/03/letters-to-the-editor-from-the-minister-for-defence-and-the-chief-of-navy-in-response-to-an-article-by-david-ellery-in-the-canberra-times-on-31-march-2012/
[7] assessment: http://www.anao.gov.au/~/media/Files/Audit%20Reports/2012%202013/Audit%20Report%2015/201213%20Audit%20Report%20No%2015_DMO.pdf
[8] announced: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/media/pressrel/PWNK6/upload_binary/pwnk61.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf#search=%22media/pressrel/pwnk6)%22
[9] said: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1723437.htm
[10] the recent National Security Strategy: http://www.dpmc.gov.au/national_security/docs/national_security_strategy.pdf
[11] Leorex: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leorex/275306423/