F-111's retirement 'unwise'

Posted on: Feb. 13th, 2006 || Source: theaustralian.news.com.au | E-mail Article | Print Article

THE Defence Department has come under fire over the planned early retirement of Australia's fleet of F-111 fighter jets as part of a multi-billion-dollar replacement program that even the department admits is risky.

Amid uncertainty over the timing and cost of replacement F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, a parliamentary committee has been told the gradual decommissioning of the 21 remaining F-111s is unwise.

Retired group captain Milton Cottee, a former RAAF squadron commander, warned the demise of the F-111s would increase the threat posed by Australia's neighbours.

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