Australia worried over missile procurement delays

06 Dec 2010

Source: UPI
Australia has placed its acquisition of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles on the ‘projects of concern’ list because of procurement delays.

Minister for Defense Stephen Smith and Minister for Defense Materiel Jason Clare said they are concerned that the procurement process Project AIR 5418 Phase 1 is running late. The Lockheed Martin cruise missile project for Australia, given the green light in 2004, is for deployment on F/A-18A/B aircraft.

But in a speech to the Department of Defense Senior Leadership Group, Smith said there has been a breakdown in communication between the government and suppliers. "Government has not been kept properly and fully informed as to the progress with respect to this major project," Smith said.

"It is essential for government to be appropriately informed about the delivery of complex and important capabilities so that appropriate steps can be taken to manage issues that emerge in relation to cost, capability or schedule."

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