http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/p/2008-01-15/0918481297.html
澳大利亞計畫採購F-22戰機 如解禁日本可能受益
http://www.sina.com.cn 2008年01月15日 09:18 中國航空信息網
英國《飛行國際》2008年1月10日報導 澳大利亞對其空軍力量能力評估後計畫採購F-22"猛禽"戰鬥機，並將考慮如米格-29和蘇-35等俄制戰鬥機，繼而有可能取消一份66億澳元(58億美元)購買24架F/A-18F"超級大黃蜂"的交易。
美國已拒絕了日本等親近盟國購買F-22的要求，並且美國國會禁止該機出口。但國防分析家認為，如果政府改變主意，日本和澳大利亞可能成為首批獲得F-22的國家。洛克希德•馬丁公司也樂於保持其"猛禽"戰鬥機生產線繼續運轉，但海外銷售面臨的一大阻力是出口型研製成本將達10億美元。
但澳大利亞新任國防部長Joel Fitzgibbon為尋找該國F-111和F/A-18的替代飛機似乎不畏任何困難。他表示將與美國政要接洽討論購買F-22事宜。他說在做出決定前必須研究所有可行的選擇方案，包括購買俄羅斯戰鬥機。
針對上屆政府計畫購買100架F-35 JSF戰鬥機並購買"超級大黃蜂"作為過渡方案的做法，Fitzgibbon認為該決定未經過正確的過程或能力辯證，他同時警告澳大利亞將不能容忍F-35再次出現任何進度推遲或成本上漲。(吳蔚 責編洪山)
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/10/220724/australia-to-weigh-lockheed-martin-f-22-against-russian-fighters.html
Australia to weigh Lockheed Martin F-22 against Russian fighters
By Siva Govindasamy
DATE:10/01/08
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com
Australia plans to request access to the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, and will also consider Russian fighters such as the RSK MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-35, as part of a review of its air power capabilities that could lead to the cancellation of a A$6.6 billion ($5.8 billion) deal to buy 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets.
The USA has refused even close allies like Japan access to the F-22 (pictured below left, with US Navy F/A-18E), and Congress has banned its export. But defence analysts say that if Washington changes its mind, Japan and Australia could be among the first to get access to the type. Lockheed is also keen to keep its Raptor production line open, but a major deterrent to a foreign sale could be a reported development cost of up to $1 billion for an export variant.
But Australia's new defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon appears unfazed in the search for a replacement for the country's General Dynamics F-111s (pictured below) and early-model F/A-18s. "I intend to pursue American politicians for access to the Raptor," he says. "We are well placed to talk to Democrats on the Hill about it, and I want it to be part of the mix." Fitzgibbon adds that all possible options will be studied before a decision, including the possible purchase of Russian aircraft. "The review should include a comparative analysis of everything on the market," he says. "I'm not ruling out any option."
Observers believe that domestic politics are behind the Labor Party's review of almost A$23 billion worth of defence projects, given that the Liberal Party which lost last December's general elections is now led by former defence minister Brendan Nelson. He was at the helm when Australia pledged to buy 100 Lockheed F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which are not expected to enter service until the middle of the next decade, and when it ordered its Super Hornets as a bridging measure.
Fitzgibbon charges that the latter decision was made without "proper due process or capability justification", while some military analysts have claimed that the aircraft lacks the stealth capability and power that the Royal Australian Air Force needs. The new defence minister has meanwhile warned that Canberra will not tolerate further delays or an increase in the cost of the F-35.
Another project under review is a A$1 billion programme to upgrade 11 Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters. These were purchased in 1997 to operate from the navy's Anzac-class frigates, but have been plagued by technical problems and have been grounded for more than a year. Nelson said last year that the helicopters will be upgraded and available for use around 2010.
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