Govt announces Super Hornets purchase March 17, 2008 - 4:26PM Source: ABC
An air combat review has found the Super Hornets are the only aircraft that can meet Australia's needs. Photo: AFP The Federal Government will go ahead with plans to buy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has announced the first part of the air combat review, which examined whether to proceed with the Super Hornet contract.
The review has found the Super Hornets are the only aircraft that can meet Australia's needs.
"I hold no doubt that the Super Hornet is more than capable of doing the job," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
"We embrace the Super Hornet as a very special aircraft which is more than up to the job."
Mr Fitzgibbon lashed out at the previous government, accusing it of mishandling the replacement of the F1-11 fighters, which are being retired in 2010.
"Greater foresight, better planning and less political interference would have allowed the Australian Government the opportunity to consider other aircraft," he said.
"Sadly that was not an option given the political demands of the former government."
The Opposition's defence spokesman, Nick Minchin, says it is a humiliating back down for Mr Fitzgibbon.
"Conducting his much-vaunted review and what do we find, they're going ahead with the order anyway," he said.
"This ought to teach Mr Fitzgibbon to stop playing politics with the nation's defence and with these acquisition projects and just get on with his job of ensuring this nation's defence.
"This is a day of shame for Mr Fitzgibbon."
Why couldnt we have gone for a cheaper, more advanced European aircraft?
