THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
071/2009
COMBET REVIEWS PROGRESS OF JSF
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today
visited Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, to view progress on the US-led
Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program.
Mr Combet toured the JSF production line and discussed the JSF’s progress
with senior Lockheed Martin officials.
“The visit has reinforced my confidence that the JSF is the right aircraft to
meet Australia’s future air combat needs and represents value for money for
the Australian taxpayer,” Mr Combet said.
“In the 15 months since my last visit to the US to review progress on the JSF,
it is clear that the US Government continues to provide strong support for the
Program and Lockheed Martin continues to make good technical progress.
“As a large and complex project many challenges remain, but what I’ve seen
today convinces me that Lockheed Martin and its industry partners – including
Australian companies – are up to dealing with those challenges.”
While the 2009 Defence White Paper confirmed that Australia will acquire
around 100 JSFs, Mr Combet reiterated that the Government will not formally
commit to buying JSF until it has confidence that the JSF Program is meeting
cost, schedule and capability goals.
“The JSF acquisition will be the largest single defence acquisition in
Australia’s history to-date. The final timing of Australia’s JSF acquisition and
the delivery schedule will be decided by the Government in late 2009,” Mr
Combet said.
In his discussions at Lockheed Martin, Mr Combet reiterated that confidence
in securing a good outcome for Australian industry in both JSF production and
sustainment is also a key consideration for the Government in its final
decision.
“With the JSF Program now ramping up to production rates, larger
opportunities are opening up in the JSF’s production and subsequent
sustainment phases over the life of the JSF Program,” Mr Combet said.
“Several major opportunities are currently being negotiated with Australian
companies and I encouraged Lockheed Martin to continue working closely
with the companies involved to ensure the work comes to Australia.”
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
