Boeing Wins Contract To Support F/A-18 Fighters
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Military Aviation, logistics
The Australian government invested in F/A-18 “Hornet” fighter and attack aircraft as an interim solution while waiting for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to be delivered. The Boeing built aircraft have seen heavy use by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps over the last twenty years and represented a good investment for the Pacific country. It has now been reported that Boeing (BA) will receive a contract to provide further maintenance support for the aircraft. This contract is worth about $1.5 million.
This six year contract will see Boeing advising the Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office with maintenance and upgrade planning and execution.
Australia Moving Out On New Submarines
Filed under: ASC, Australia, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Rand, development program, production program
The Australian government has planned an ambitious expansion of their armed forces. Several major defense contracts will be let in the next few years with a goal of local companies doing the work. The largest amongst these is to build new submarines for the Navy. The first step in this contract was taken last week with the award of a contract to The Rand Corporation of the United States to begin doing a study of Australia’s capability to build these submarines in the necessary quantity. There was no value given for the contract but the goal is to have the study done early next year.
Australia had built there last class of submarines, the Collins Class, at the ASC company’s yards. This company provides maintenance for the vessels as well. They are also the lead for a new class of destroyers being built by Australia. Earlier this year the government had expressed concern about ASC’s performance maintaining the existing submarine fleet and this contract is related to those beliefs.
Australia Plans to Privatise Electricity Production
The Australian Government still owns three electrical power generators; as well as three electricity retail companies. Now the The Australian is saying that the government plans to sell these companies to private bidders. This had been proposed previously by the government but the terms were considered so bad that the Minister in charge, Mr. Iemma, was forced to resign. Now his successor, Mr. Rees, is trying to follow through with the idea. Read more
Australia cuts bait
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Contract Awards, McDonnell Douglas, Military Aviation, production program
The Australian government decided after all to go ahead with the purchase of the F/A-18 to gap fill until the JSF is available. An article is here. The new more liberal government had discussed canceling the contract to save money. Now they claim they have been able to reduce the total cost, so it is worthwhile. See a previous article here. Read more
Australian politicians snipe at each other over F/A-18 contract
Filed under: Australia, Contract Awards, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, production program
The opposing party to the current Australian government, who were the government until the last election, criticized the Defence Minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, for his comments about their management of the Australian defense budget. See the article here on ABC News. He has ordered a review of the F/A-18 contract while stating that he hopes the review supports the contract. One of the main issues is that the termination costs would be substantial.



