Defence Update – Federal Budget Analysis

Four Important Air Force Projects Approved in 1995/96 Budget

A number of key Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) new major capital equipment projects which have been in the pipeline for some time were officially approved in the 1995/96 Defence Budget context in May. The most notable Air Force project to receive Government approval, with funding (although not disclosed), is for a Lead-In Fighter (LIF) to replace the Macchi MB-326 jet trainer/day fighter fleet. The MB-326 is getting towards 30 years old, and a considerable number have suffered structural fatigue problems. Quite a number of wings have been replaced. Also approved are the upgrading of the F/A-18 Hornet fighters, firstly with mission computers, databases and enhanced communications, to increase operational effectiveness; and electronic countermeasures (ECM) for the F-111C strike/reconnaissance fleet of 21 aircraft.

The Air Force also has broken through in getting Government approval to install Air Combat Manoeuvre Instrumentation equipment and an Electronic Warfare Range at its Delamere air weapons range in central Australia.

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