Aus wants the F-22, Gates no objections

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
28,561
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I may be wrong but isn't Australia far enough away from any potential threat that fighters can reach?
 

JRich

Platinum Member
Jun 7, 2005
2,717
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Originally posted by: techs
I may be wrong but isn't Australia far enough away from any potential threat that fighters can reach?

Bombers can reach still.
 

ForumMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
7,797
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well, does Australia really have any enemies? perhaps for US air force bases in the region, but i can't think of any enemies that Australia has.

let's see if anyone know where this is from:

"And in other news, the bridge to Las Venturas is still broken. The Governor has threatened to bomb Australia, despite scientific evidence, that it wasn't their fault."
 

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
24,778
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We're a staunch ally of the US, right next door to some relatively heavyweight, and 'heavyweight-to-be' players, with a history of political instability, who aren't necessarily the greatest fans of either Australia or the US...
 

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
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Originally posted by: dug777
We're a staunch ally of the US, right next door to some relatively heavyweight, and 'heavyweight-to-be' players, with a history of political instability, who aren't necessarily the greatest fans of either Australia or the US...

you mean Indonesia?
 

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
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Originally posted by: techs
I may be wrong but isn't Australia far enough away from any potential threat that fighters can reach?

Australia has a very large area (including ocean) that they need to cover. The F-22 has pretty good range and uber radar, so it makes sense for them. Only problem being the cost...
 

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
28,561
4
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Originally posted by: Gibsons
Originally posted by: JRich
Originally posted by: techs
I may be wrong but isn't Australia far enough away from any potential threat that fighters can reach?

Bombers can reach still.

Not to mention boats.

Yet, there is no bomber that current fighters could not shoot down, and this will remain so for decades.
And current fighters are just as effective against boats.

 

compnovice

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2005
3,192
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Originally posted by: z0mb13
Originally posted by: dug777
We're a staunch ally of the US, right next door to some relatively heavyweight, and 'heavyweight-to-be' players, with a history of political instability, who aren't necessarily the greatest fans of either Australia or the US...

you mean Indonesia?

New Zealand is their arch enemy....
 

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
91
Originally posted by: techs
Originally posted by: Gibsons
Originally posted by: JRich
Originally posted by: techs
I may be wrong but isn't Australia far enough away from any potential threat that fighters can reach?

Bombers can reach still.

Not to mention boats.

Yet, there is no bomber that current fighters could not shoot down, and this will remain so for decades.
And current fighters are just as effective against boats.
Right. They aren't talking about buying them tomorrow.

Their current fleet of F-18s is supposed to be viable for another 10-15 years. They'll need s replacement for the F-111's too. So they'll need something in the sort of near future, and maybe the F-22 would be the ticket. If they can afford it. My guess is that they'll just stick with the F-35, but who knows.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
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Originally posted by: compnovice
Originally posted by: z0mb13
Originally posted by: dug777
We're a staunch ally of the US, right next door to some relatively heavyweight, and 'heavyweight-to-be' players, with a history of political instability, who aren't necessarily the greatest fans of either Australia or the US...

you mean Indonesia?

New Zealand is their arch enemy....

You laugh now, but when NZ attacks with a sheep rush you'll be crying.
 

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
24,778
4
0
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: compnovice
Originally posted by: z0mb13
Originally posted by: dug777
We're a staunch ally of the US, right next door to some relatively heavyweight, and 'heavyweight-to-be' players, with a history of political instability, who aren't necessarily the greatest fans of either Australia or the US...

you mean Indonesia?

New Zealand is their arch enemy....

You laugh now, but when NZ attacks with a sheep rush you'll be crying.

LMFAO :laugh:
 

StinkyPinky

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2002
6,761
776
126
Originally posted by: George P Burdell
Originally posted by: dug777

http://www.thewest.com.au/defa...ID=145&ContentID=59906

Given the MiGs and Sukhois our larger neighbours have, are, and will be obtaining, it's not a bad idea.

I'm sure the US wants to see us retain absolute air superiority in the region too ;)

I did not know that you guys were scared of the Tasmanians or the New Zealanders.

Those Tasmanians have beady eyes.
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
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we should sell them if we can, after proper export review of course, gotta bring down the US deficit somehow.
 
Aug 25, 2004
11,166
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Originally posted by: OS
we should sell them if we can, after proper export review of course, gotta bring down the US deficit somehow.

And we need to make back the $1.2 billion that crashed yesterday.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,862
84
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as long as we can be sure they aren't going to leak tech:p
probably slightly less shady than deals with the uk with their socialist/european sympathies.
 

senseamp

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,783
6,187
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Having that option doesn't mean they will exercise it. Their potential adversaries can get 7 Su-30s for what one F-22 costs.
Of course living in an area that has Lockheed Martin as a major employer, we'll take their money, so hell yeah we should let them have the option :)