Australian lawmakers confident in F-35's future

[spazsinbad]

It is silly to single anyone out to answer a question. This forum is for all comers with answers. My interest is in Naval Aviation and the F-35 variants. Already I am aware I know little about the Super Hornets. Strategy & wider ADF is not me.

AFAIK the ADF is for Defence, how that may be done can vary according to circumstances. Otherwise obviously we train to operate not only together but in conjunction with other forces from elsewhere via treaty arrangements. NO the ADF is NOT going to operate alone against China. Give us a break. 25.5 million against what 1.5 billion? You gotta be kidding me.

We do well by comparison in the VIRUS WARS though. I don't know about the quotes you refer. They don't matter to us.

An example of US co-operation 22 Jun 2020: https://news.usni.org/2020/06/22/delaye ... th-aussies

[Corsair1963]

Funny, many want to compare China vs X, Y, or Z...Yet, in the "Real World" it would be China vs XYZ.

[spazsinbad]

Got the shoe quote: "...The Chinese Communist Party responded with three elements of pressure. First, political. It imposed a ban on top-level political contact. Second, economic. It applied a customs "go slow" on Australian thermal coal, which proved ineffective because exporters were able readily to divert shipments to other markets. Third, it began a campaign of internet intrusions.

In April, Beijing stepped up all these elements after the Morrison government led the call for an inquiry into COVID-19. The Chinese government extended its political ban to not only top-level but also ministerial contacts, and rhetorical abuse of Australia was unleashed - the state-owned media campaign included the description of Australia as "chewing gum stuck on the sole of China's shoes". Scary stuff indeed. We would make that joke ourselves but hey does China laugh?

http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia ... r-BB15PGWG

[spazsinbad]

Australia releases weapons wish list amid defense spending boost
02 Jul 2020 Nigel Pittaway

"MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia plans to increase defense spending over the next decade to AU$270 billion (U.S. $187 billion) in response to what it says is a deteriorating regional environment. The July 1 announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the plan coincides with the launch of the government’s 2020 Defence Strategic Update and the associated Force Structure Plan, which will raise projected spending from AU$195 billion as laid out in the 2016 Defence White Paper....

...“The Indo-Pacific is the epicenter of rising, strategic competition. Our region will not only shape our future; increasingly though, it is the focus of the dominant global contest of our age,” he said. “Tensions over territorial claims are rising across the Indo-Pacific region, as we have seen recently on the disputed border between India and China, and the South China Sea and the East China Sea.”

What do the documents say?
The two defense documents forecast the development of closer ties with Australia’s regional partners and with the U.S., but it also warns of the need for enhanced self-reliance, which Morrison said signals the country’s “ability and willingness” to project military power and deter actions against it.

“Relations between China and the U.S. are fractious at best as they compete for political, economic and technological supremacy. But it’s important to acknowledge that they are not the only actors of consequence. The rest of the world and Australia are not just bystanders to this,” he said. “Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, the countries of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Pacific all have agency, choices to make, parts to play, and of course so does Australia.”

Additional capabilities to those already being acquired include long-range strike weapons, area-denial systems and cyber tools — including the establishment of an offensive cyber capability.

Also included on Australia’s shopping list is the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missile, which would become the country’s next air-launched maritime strike weapon under Project Air 3023 Phase 1. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds confirmed Thursday that Australia will acquire an unspecified number of LRASM weapons through a Foreign Military Sales deal with the U.S. Navy.

Training on the weapon is to begin in the U.S. in 2021. The missile will initially be employed by the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighters, with an initial operational capability to follow in 2023. Reynolds said the missile will also be integrated with Australia’s F-35A jets, which are also made by Lockheed.

Australia is also seeking replacement fleets for the Royal Australian Air Force’s Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules, Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control planes and EA-18G Growler electronic attack platforms. [wut?]

The country’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network is also to be expanded to cover Australia’s eastern approaches. The government is also backing the creation of a hypersonic weapons development program...."

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia ... ing-boost/

[jessmo112]

That is a pretty decent shopping list.
Ive never seen gum on my Shoe look so intimidating.

[spazsinbad]

Australia to buy LRASM; Unveils Strategic Plan
03 Jul 2020 David Donald

"The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) is to buy an unspecified number of the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), the country's defense minister, Linda Reynolds, confirmed on July 2. A Foreign Military Sales deal to sell 200 LRASMs to Australia was approved by the U.S. State Department in February. In Australian service, the LRASM will initially arm the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet, but will subsequently be integrated to other platforms. The Boeing P-8A Poseidon and Lockheed Martin F-35A are likely candidates.

LRASM is based on the AGM-158B JASSM-ER air-to-ground cruise missile but incorporates a radar seeker and other sensors to attack ships. Transiting at medium altitude before flying a sea-skimming terminal approach, the LRASM has a range of at least 200nm (370km), considerably greater than the current AGM-84 Harpoon it will supplant and providing the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with the ability to command large areas of ocean.

The acquisition of LRASM is consistent with a new Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan that were published by the DoD on July 1. While Australia’s forces have been undergoing a modernization as a result of the 2016 Defence White Paper, the new documents acknowledge that the country’s “strategic environment has deteriorated more rapidly than anticipated”, and that “our region is in the midst of the most consequential strategic realignment since the Second World War … the Indo-Pacific region is at the center of greater strategic competition.” Moreover, the papers highlight the expansion of regional “grey zone” activities. As a result, the documents set out plans to accelerate the reinforcement of Australia’s own forces, and also to strengthen its ties with the United States and regional allies.

In terms of the air domain, Australia’s plan underlines its commitment to the Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter, with efforts to procure a successor to begin sometime in the second half of the next decade. Additional combat capability through “teaming air vehicles” is also on the table for introduction later in the 2020s. A replacement for the EA-18G Growler is to be sought from around 2028 and, in the meantime, upgrades are being funded. A high-speed long-range strike capability is planned for imminent funding, including research into hypersonic weapons...."

Photo: "An F/A-18F Super Hornet of U.S. Navy test squadron VX-23 releases an AGM-158C LRASM during trials. (Photo: Naval Air Systems Command)" https://www.ainonline.com/sites/ainonli ... hornet.jpg

Source: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... tegic-plan

[XanderCrews]

Got the shoe quote: "...The Chinese Communist Party responded with three elements of pressure. First, political. It imposed a ban on top-level political contact. Second, economic. It applied a customs "go slow" on Australian thermal coal, which proved ineffective because exporters were able readily to divert shipments to other markets. Third, it began a campaign of internet intrusions.

In April, Beijing stepped up all these elements after the Morrison government led the call for an inquiry into COVID-19. The Chinese government extended its political ban to not only top-level but also ministerial contacts, and rhetorical abuse of Australia was unleashed - the state-owned media campaign included the description of Australia as "chewing gum stuck on the sole of China's shoes". Scary stuff indeed. We would make that joke ourselves but hey does China laugh?

http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia ... r-BB15PGWG

A lot hinges on the US elections. Biden is a big fan of China and will gladly shaft Australia. I know Australia is waiting to see what happens here

[spazsinbad]

"...Biden is a big fan of China and will gladly shaft Australia...." This statement requires explanation. Thanks. Treaties are in place as well as statements IIRC by Biden & cohorts about 'merica requiring allies in the SEA region (that are shafted?).

To me here the 'shafting' seems to emanate from the current President but I take no notice of the potential lame duck.

[element1loop]

Note the last three items, up to $33.8 billion combined for an IADS network and multi-layer missile defense system. Far more $AUD than the entire F-35A program budget to date. Now we just need AUD to rise to a higher level over the next 5 years, to get more bang out of that huge amount of bucks.

And not like we have a tourism industry any longer which a high $AUD would hurt. And who wants so many imported students anyway when it means our once quality universities are now full of over-rated protected Marxist whack-jobs? I could forego that.

[XanderCrews]

"...Biden is a big fan of China and will gladly shaft Australia...." This statement requires explanation. Thanks. Treaties are in place as well as statements IIRC by Biden & cohorts about 'merica requiring allies in the SEA region (that are shafted?).

To me here the 'shafting' seems to emanate from the current President but I take no notice of the potential lame duck.

Biden will throw Australia under the bus to side with Chinese engaging in a trade war with you.

[spazsinbad]

Not sure if that is as bad as TRUMP doing his 'AMERICA First' luv China Second then Russia thing if re-elected. Who knows.

[optimist]

"...Biden is a big fan of China and will gladly shaft Australia...." This statement requires explanation. Thanks. Treaties are in place as well as statements IIRC by Biden & cohorts about 'merica requiring allies in the SEA region (that are shafted?).

To me here the 'shafting' seems to emanate from the current President but I take no notice of the potential lame duck.

Biden will throw Australia under the bus to side with Chinese engaging in a trade war with you.

What makes what makes you think that?
Obama and Biden were instrumental in having the marines deployed in Australia 6 months of the year. As well as tight relationship with USN.

[spazsinbad]

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN – AIR CAPABILITY INVESTMENTS [4 page PDF of article attached below]
09 Jul 2020 NIGEL PITTAWAY

“...Given the Growler only entered service with the RAAF in Australia in 2017 and its current planned withdrawal date isn’t until 2035, why is funding for a replacement being allocated so early?

“Planning activities for major acquisitions starts well in advance of the entry into service,” AVM Roberts explained. “Funding needs to be provided to cater for pre-acquisition planning activities.”...

...“A capability edge in the air is critical for Australia. The future air fleet will be focussed around the F-35A Lightning II, the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler. Despite our confidence in these aircraft, it is important that we continue to look for opportunities to expand our air combat capability,” AVM Roberts said.”...”

Source: Australian Defence Magazine DEFENCE WEEK PREMIUM ISSUE 595 | 09 July 2020

[weasel1962]

Looking at the massive jumps in Aussie exports to China since Trump came aboard, the Trump era has been good for Australian exports to China even with the occasional reminder to Aussies which side of its bread is buttered.

A$25b exports to US, A$169b to China in 2019 (up from A$116b)...
https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/f ... s_2019.pdf

A chunk of that Aussie imports from US comprising F-35s...looks ok from that pov for 4 more years of Trump.

[Corsair1963]

Looking at the massive jumps in Aussie exports to China since Trump came aboard, the Trump era has been good for Australian exports to China even with the occasional reminder to Aussies which side of its bread is buttered.

A$25b exports to US, A$169b to China in 2019 (up from A$116b)...
https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/f ... s_2019.pdf

A chunk of that Aussie imports from US comprising F-35s...looks ok from that pov for 4 more years of Trump.

My guess is most Americans would likely agree. Of course for very different reasons. Nonetheless, we'll know on November 3rd of this year.

Going to be a helluva ride between now and then....