Should Australia get the F18 "Super Hornet" or perhaps go for one of the new Sukhoi's so prevalent in Oceana?

when buying an aircraft you are not only buying the craft itself but also a lot of technologies, maintenance, and ideas.

the russian planes are fitted to a completely different attitude of personel, and besides, they are made in METRIC units.. that means you would need to buy a complete set of tools for maintenance personel...

more than that you have to consider probable strategic problems with delivery of spare parts - the Australia would become the hostage in the Russian-american negotiations.

Thus because australia operates the western planes right now, it would be easier to swap from the recent planes whatever they might be to the superhornet than to a sukhoi.

Also think of armament - if you want use western weapons with russian plane, then you either provide russians with western avionics /not very likely with sensitive weapons systems/ or you breach the guarantee criteria with unapproved mounting of equipment.

The Sukhoi probably outperforms the superhornet in the terms of range and probably speed, but these are THEORETICAL and optimised values. Besides the SUkhoi is totaly a different class of aircraft.

Finally the superhornet is navalised, in case the Australia wants a carrier, it already would have its planes for it... or would be able to deploy them onboard of american ship, if needed. that wouldnt be possible with the sukhois.

Neither, just save up the money and buy some JSFs. The only possible regional enemy would be China and they don't have the capability to launch a major stike on Australia yet. There is no use in buying these aircraft and then three years later buying JSFs. The JSF will have missles that can outfly any jet (not to mention not needing to point the aircraft at the enemy aircraft with the targeting system built into the helmet) while having stealth to prevent a counter attack.

what that decision comes down to is who does the australian government want as an ally, the americans or the russians. also consider the cost of the aircraft, maintenance, fuel, weapons systems, avionics, and reliability. take all that into consideration, the hornet is a better buy. granted the sukhoi may be better in some aspects, the hornet is still a better aircraft for the money.

The Flankers certainly are the zippiest planes on the market. However, the chances of them being bought are effectively zilch - Australia prefers American made aircraft for the principles of technological familiarisation... and just plain cuddling up to our buddies, the Yanks.

i allways say that every one &one should have a open mine to and have wat thay need to keep and have it secure and safe but in the roung hands then things can get bad

the world is n ow fighting its man made life and every one is

one for all