JSF deal struck

Negotiations for Australia’s entry into the decade-long development phase of the US$200 billion Joint Strike Fighter program have been successfully completed.

Cabinet has approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Government after Defence and the Department of Industry Tourism and Resources determined the terms of Australia’s involvement in the JSF program.

The decision means an investment of up to US$150 million over 10 years to join as a level three partner and puts Australia at the forefront of developing the world’s most advanced combat aircraft over the next 30 years, according to Defence Minister Robert Hill.

“The JSF is a fifth generation aircraft. Participating in its development and expected acquisition enables us to leap a generation of aircraft, rather than invest in a platform that may well be out of date in the next 10 or 15 years,” Senator Hill said.

“Our negotiations with the United States Government have gone very well.

“We have achieved in four months what other partner countries have negotiated over one to two years.”

Senator Hill and US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld signed a Ministerial Exchange of Letters during last week’s AUSMIN meeting in Washington.

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