Cancel Australia JSF program involvement: Greens

THE federal government should scrap its involvement in the $US570 billion ($A560 billion) US joint strike fighter (JSF) program, the Australian Greens say.

Australia is considering whether to buy up to 100 of the F-35 fighters from the US.

It has so far purchased two and deferred the acquisition of the next tranche of 12 for two years.

"The JSF program should be cancelled immediately - before more damage is being done," Greens defence spokesman Senator Scott Ludlam said in a statement on Thursday.

Senator Ludlam said the JSF program was an "expensive money-sink".

"The reckless pursuit of the JSF has evolved into a colossal waste of time and money," he said.

The world's most expensive military program has seen cost blow-outs of $US13 billion ($A13 billion) and is running five years late.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 is a fifth-generation combat aircraft featuring stealth capability - low visibility to radar - and advanced sensors to detect enemy aircraft.
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But the production program has been described as too dear and behind schedule.

Senator Ludlam plans on Thursday to move a motion in the Senate calling for an end to Australia's involvement in the costly project.


Source: AAP News – 1 March 2013

Photo: The government should scrap its involvement in the U.S. Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighter program, the Greens say. (Photo by USAF)


(1.03.2013)