Australia and Canada to conduct talks on procurement

Australia and Canada are to conduct top level talks on procurement and capability issues of mutual concern after they both expressed concern that the new Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will be delayed. 

Australia is considering acquiring up to 100 JSF aircraft but has so far contracted to buy just 14, with the first to be delivered in 2015. Decision time on the next tranche of 58 will come in 2012-13.

The JSF has faced steady criticism that it will be late and too expensive and will not deliver the promised level of capability.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said he and Visiting Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay had agreed to conduct a regular strategic dialogue on shared procurement, acquisition and capability issues.

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