Every procurement of defense equipment, especially those with 'jumbo' value, often brings pros and cons. It doesn't only happen in Indonesia, in Australia there are also pros and cons related to the defense equipment procurement program.
And this time the target is the existence of the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jet which was acquired by the Australian Air Force (RAAF) in large numbers (72 units). Australian analysts argue that the procurement of the F-35A was the country's 'biggest mistake'.
Senior Australian journalist, Brian Toohey, who has written extensively for Australia's national security policy since 1973, criticized the Australian Government's 'Defense Strategy Review' which had recommended purchasing a fourth squadron of F-35A fighter jets.
The total F-35A ordered by Australia is 72 units imported under Project Air 6000 Phase 2A/2B. The 72 F-35A units are prepared to complement three fighter squadrons, however, recently the Australian Air Force plans to add one F-35A squadron, with the fourth squadron, then later the Australian Air Force will operate a total of 96 F-35A units.
Not just criticizing, quoted from eurasiantimes.com, Toohey pointed out the long history of 'expensive' problems that have been encountered throughout the F-35A program, he also argued that Australia "should have asked for a refund" and that Australia's "biggest mistake" was buying the plane since beginning.
In April 2022, Air Vice-Marshal Leon Phillips, Head of The Aerospace Systems Division, notified the Australian Parliament's Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Legislation Committee that the government expects to spend AUD14.6 billion (US$10.87 billion) on maintain the F-35A Lightning II fleet through 2053.
Earlier, in February 2022, a budget estimate document submitted by the Australian Department of Defense revealed that the RAAF's F-35 Lightning II aircraft would spend less time in the air over the next four years than previously thought, sparking a national debate about capability and viability. ' aircraft.
The heavy cost of operating and maintaining the F-35A, began to impact on the F-35 flight hours which have been revised by 25 percent in the 2021-22 (FY22) fiscal year and are planned to be reduced by 17 percent in the 2023 fiscal year, 14 percent in the 2024 fiscal year , and 13 percent in the 2025 fiscal year.
F-35A Source of Problems for Australia
Historically, Australia joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program as a Level 3 industrial partner in 2002 and committed to purchase 72 of the aircraft for around US$16 billion. So far, the RAAF has received 54 of a planned 72 F-35As, and the service intends to have all of its aircraft operational by the end of 2023.
However, according to Australian defense experts and media reports, the Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter supplied to the RAAF turned out to be a complete disaster. For example, Australia's two F-35 fighter jets, which were purchased for more than $280 million in 2013, may be too old to be updated to their current configuration.
In addition, there are also deficiencies in the F-35's capabilities that are relevant to Australia's security needs. For example, the effective combat radius of the F-35A is only around 1,000 kilometers, and with tanker aircraft, the range can be extended to around 1,500 kilometers.
Regarding hotspots in the South China Sea, the F-35A cannot reach the South China Sea without air refueling. Even so, in the midst of the conflict, the availability of air tankers was in doubt in the contested airspace.
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Furthermore, Australian defense journalist, Anthony Galloway, stated that the actual combat radius of the F-35A may only be around 500 kilometers, given that the aircraft has to accelerate during combat using more fuel.
Speaking of speed, the F-35A is said to be a supersonic fighter, analysts say that the fighter cannot actually reach the target, or leave, in a hurry if necessary, because it can only fly at a top speed of 1,960 km per hour (Mach 1.6 ) for 50 seconds, after which it should slow down.
No Match Against China
Another major problem with Australia's F-35As is that they use Block 3F software, a digital operating system designed by Lockheed Martin. It also proves to be very expensive to keep updated.
Worse, the current version of the F-35A is not even suitable to fight China, senior US Air Force officials say. Last year, Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote, deputy chief of staff for the USAF, expressed serious concerns about Block 3F's software, saying, “the block that is coming out right now is not a block that I feel good against China and Russia.”
The only solution to the above problem is a significant upgrade to the Block 4 operating system software, which is backed by Lockheed Martin and reportedly several years late, with delivery expected before 2027. In addition, it will be prohibitively expensive.
The full Block 4 upgrade will include advanced electronic warfare capabilities, improved target recognition, and the ability to carry more missiles.
The F-35A upgrade may also require a significant upgrade of the existing Pratt & Whitney F135 Engine, or possibly even a new engine, as the Block 4 upgrade will require more power from the propulsion system and will also make the fighter run hotter, requiring cooling capabilities. the greater one.
For a country like Australia, it is not easy and cheap to operate the F-35A, especially since countries with tight pockets are certainly not advised to have the F-35A, or if forced it will end up being "bonco."
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