Leading edge air combat capability is essential for Australia’s security.
Australia’s next investment in air combat capability will be the single biggest Defence investment the Australian taxpayer has ever made.
The Australian Government is yet to make a decision on how best to address its future New Air Combat Capability (NACC) requirement. The final decision will be considered in the context of the new Australian Defence White Paper which is currently being developed.
While the Australian Government’s acquisition decision will not be made until some time in 2009, Australia remains an enthusiastic development partner in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program. The JSF Program is of immense importance to Australia as the JSF is the leading contender to replace Australia’s current ageing fleet of fighter jets.
JSF is an impressive aircraft, incorporating the latest in stealth technology, sensor capabilities and weapon systems, but it is still in the development phase. The Australian Government, however, will not make a decision on JSF until key issues regarding the capability, price and schedule of the aircraft can be determined.
In the interim, the Department of Defence’s New Air Combat Capability Integrated Project Team (NACC IPT) can report that the JSF Program continues to make very good technical progress.
“Despite the good progress on the JSF Program – arguably the largest and most complex defence program ever – considerable work remains to be done,” said Air Vice-Marshal J.P. Harvey, Program Manager New Air Combat Capability.
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