I don’t know. This is only a news report. Here is some of what it says…..
So dire are the economic forecasts that the Defence Department’s long-awaited White Paper plan for the next 30 years, due out next month, is now expected to be delayed until after the May 12 Budget.
Defence spending has jumped since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks from $13.7billion to $22.4billion.
The Rudd Government last year agreed to continue a 3per cent real increase in defence funding through to 2017.
But senior ministers want to reduce the 3per cent hike for several years, promising to reinstate it once the Budget returns to a healthier state.
Instead it is likely the Defence Department will be granted an increase in real funding of much lower, perhaps just 1per cent.
This would save the Budget about $1billion over the next two years.
The Defence Department also will be asked to find savings by:
* Finding more than $1billion in efficiency savings.
* Sacrificing a $3billion warship.
* Reducing its front-line jet fighter fleet.
* Achieving savings of almost $500million via job cuts.
* Cutting supplier costs by $400million.
* Mothballing two Collins class submarines
Other initiatives on the drawing board include a plan to keep three ageing guided missile frigates and F/A-18 Hornet fighters operating well beyond their used-by-date.
One place to cut would be egos and unrealistic expectations, could save quite a few billions if common sense was allowed to pervade the military, the public service and the parliament.
Ditto that.Stealth fighter (F35), nuclear sub (< HREF="http://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2009/03/french-attack-submarines-ssns-for.html" REL="nofollow">SSN<>) and attack helicopter (Tiger)…. Is it an international trend or Australian defense procurement plan does seem out of focus?