Defence Update – RAAF Lead-In Fighter

Those crossed off the LIF shortlist were the French Dassault Alpha Jet ATS and the Czech Republic’s Aero Vodochody L-59F. The exclusion of the Alpha Jet was made as a further strong signal of Australian Government displeasure that the French Government still has plans to resume nuclear tests in the South Pacific, probably starting in September, and running through until May 1996.

The French have argued that further underground nuclear tests are necessary to ensure that its nuclear deterrent capabilities are up to date. This has provoked a hostile reaction around the world, especially in the South Pacific.

Federal Cabinet, in initial reactions to the scheduled French nuclear tests, empowered Senator Ray to decide if French defence bids for Australian Defence Force projects would be allowed to proceed, or deleted. The general view was that Australia would be foolish to take any actions that might damage its interests more than those of France.

At the time Senator Ray said he would consider such issues on a case by case basis, and that still applies. In respect to the LIF Project he announced at a briefing for Defence correspondents in Canberra on August 1 that he had decided to exclude Dassault and its Alpha Jet from the tender process.

Senator Ray indicated that his action was by way of a further protest by Australia against the resumption of nuclear testing. In response the French Government immediately recalled its Ambassador to Australia, Mr Dominique Girard to Paris, and denounced Australian measures against French interests as “discriminatory”.

Senator Ray had noted that he was not trying to “put a bulldust gloss on this by saying it was a hot favourite. It wasn’t.”

This is hardly surprising as the Dassault Alpha Jet production line has not been turning out these aircraft for a decade while some operators have even begun retiring their Alpha Jets in recent years. Dassault’s bid included reopening the line, and upgrading the aircraft to current standards.

But the chances of even a modernised Alpha Jet, complete with the latest avionics being successful against the Hawk 100 and Goshawk T-45 (considered to offer the higher end performance and possibly the best long life capabilities) and the medium level performance but cheaper Macchi MB-339FD, were not rated highly by most observers. Ironically it may be that the Australian rejection of the Alpha Jet as a leading contender for the RAAF’s LIF Project could save Dassault money.

Senator Ray’s exclusion of the Czech L-59F, seen as the lower end/cheapest option, also is not surprising. Even though it was to be given a US engine, and its avionics including a digital cockpit were being developed by an Israeli company, it was not considered comparable to the remaining short listed three.

It is understood that the Minister’s decision to delete the L-59F was based on advice from the RAAF that it had very little prospect of winning the contract.

Senator Ray noted at the briefing that of the remaining contenders only the Goshawk T-45 at present was equipped with the required digital cockpit and three displays. However he acknowledged that the Macchi MB-339 and the Hawk 100 would incorporate such a cockpit and displays in their final bids. The digital cockpit and latest avionics are required in the new Lead-In Fighter so that pilots converting to the fast jets, especially the F/A-18 Hornets, would be familiar with the latest technology.

The Minister also said it was not possible at this stage to firm up on the total project cost, or the number of aircraft that would be acquired. He added that the project costs depended on the number of aircraft, and that, in turn, would be influenced to a considerable extent by through life costs, and the expected fatigue life of the aircraft.

In other news Senator Ray has outlined that Cabinet had considered the question of what might be done with the other divisions of ASTA (AeroSpace Technologies of Australia) in Victoria that was sold some months ago to Rockwell. Avalon Airport, one of these, would be protected as a national asset, he said. (This is understood to be linked with plans to sell the Essendon Airport for suburban redevelopment – Ed).

Senator Ray announced that Cabinet had endorsed a plan to inject $6m into the former ASTA subsidiary, ASTAAS whose main business is to service and maintain commercial airliners. Contracts for such work has declined markedly in recent times, not just for ASTAAS, but around the world.

The Minister said the injection of these funds should help maintain the workforce of 452 personnel and their skills, even on a reduced hours basis.

He said the Government hoped that there would be a turnaround in demand which would improve ASTAAS’s profitability. Currently it has work booked to June 1996.