The dynamics of a country's defense strategy can result in some fundamental changes. One that could be affected is the plan for the procurement of defense equipment.
After previously canceling the contract for the construction of 12 units of Attack Class diesel-electric submarines from the Naval Group, France. Now it is the turn of the US combat drone manufacturer, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which must accept the cancellation of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone acquisition program.
Quoted from Janes.com (1/4/2022), Australia has canceled Project Air 7003, a multi-million dollar program designed to strengthen intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in land and sea environments.
The US$1.3 billion program is on schedule to deliver 12–16 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardians by the mid-2020s. On April 1, Matt Yannopoulos, Secretary to the Australian Department of Defence, notified the Australian Senate Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Committee of the program's cancellation.
An Australian Department of Defense official told the committee that about AU$10 million [US$7.4 million] had been spent on the project prior to its cancellation.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), which manufactures the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, confirmed the cancellation of the program. In a statement, David R Alexander, president of GA-ASI, described Australia's move as "disappointing for a number of reasons". He added that the decision came after "nearly a decade of efforts toward an acquisition program."
Meanwhile, a Defense Department spokesperson said that the decision was made based on the need to prioritize cybersecurity.
“Defense affairs can adjust and prioritize the Integrated Investment Program for new and emerging priorities. Based on suggestions from various parties, the government has decided to discontinue Project Air 7003 and divert funding to the Australian Signals Directorate," the spokesperson said.
Flashback, in November 2018, Australian Defense Minister (then) Christopher Pyne announced that Australia would buy 12 to 16 MQ-9s.
Then in November 2019, Australia announced the selection of the MQ-9B for the armed Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) RPAS requirements under Project Air 7003.
In April 2021, the US Department of Defense approved the sale of 12 MQ-9Bs and related equipment through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for $1.651 billion.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian measures 11.7 meters in length and a wingspan of 24 meters. This drone can operate at an altitude of 12,000 meters and roam up to a distance of 9,260 km.
The drone is powered by the Honeywell TPE331-10 Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine with a power of 950 hp. The MQ-9B's maximum speed is 463 km per hour and the capability of continuous flight endurance is 40 hours.
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