© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The brand of Lockheed Martin is seen at Euronaval, the world naval defence exhibition in Le Bourget close to Paris, France, October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
By Jamie Freed
AVALON, Australia (Reuters) -Lockheed Martin Corp hopes Australia needs to purchase extra of its F-35 fighter planes after the nation completes a defence assessment, an govt on the U.S. producer mentioned on Tuesday.
“We hope for the chance to ship further F-35s past” the 72 Australia has on order, Govt Vice President of Aeronautics Greg Ulmer mentioned on the sidelines of the Australia Worldwide Airshow.
Ulmer additionally mentioned Lockheed has talked with Australia about teaming the F-35 with Boeing (NYSE:) Co’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat fighter-like drone.
Boeing’s defence division head Ted Colbert mentioned through the air present {that a} partnership can be “nice information”.
In a crewed-uncrewed teaming scenario, the F-35 might function the “quarterback” and concentrate on correct focusing on whereas different plane deployed weapons, mentioned Steve Over, Lockheed’s director of worldwide enterprise.
Australia has bought 72 Lockheed F-35A jets to kind three squadrons, with all plane scheduled to be absolutely operational this 12 months. It had initially expressed curiosity in shopping for 100.
A defence strategic assessment contemplating Australia’s future power posture – together with the attainable buy of a fourth squadron of F-35 jets – was handed to the federal government on Feb. 14.
Defence Minister Richard Marles, in a pre-air present speech on Monday, mentioned the assessment and the federal government’s response can be made public in April.
He mentioned the assessment comes in opposition to a backdrop of elevated strategic competitors between nations within the area.
“Within the Indo-Pacific, China is driving the most important typical navy build-up we have seen wherever on the planet because the Second World Warfare. And far of this build-up is opaque,” Marles mentioned.
Australia, a staunch U.S. ally, has joined the US in pushing again in opposition to China’s rising energy and affect, notably its navy buildup, stress on Taiwan and deployments within the contested South China Sea.
Lockheed’s Over mentioned it might take about 4 years for Australia to obtain extra F-35s if it positioned an order this 12 months.
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