Deferring jet fighter purchase could save Australia $1bn

Posted on: Sep. 13th, 2006 || Source: smh.com.au | E-mail Article | Print Article

TAXPAYERS would save as much as $1 billion if the purchase of the Joint Strike Fighter was deferred for two years and the life of the F-111 fighter jet extended, according to research from a leading Defence think-tank.

The option has growing support in Defence circles as the Government grapples with what the Minister for Defence, Brendan Nelson, has described as the most risky, and most expensive, purchase in the history of the Australian military.

At a cost of up to $15 billion, the Government plans to buy up to 100 Joint Strike Fighters to replace F-111 and F/A-18 Hornet jets.

Andrew Davies, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the cost of each JSF could vary between $86 million and $133 million, depending on developments. "If you buy early, you pay more," he said. "If you slipped out the timetable by two years, you would save 10 per cent."

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