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I too am amazed that this is even possible, but for different reasons. Do other first world countries allow non-government companies to hold this much sophistic
by justaguyhere 7y ago
I too am amazed that this is even possible, but for different reasons. Do other first world countries allow non-government companies to hold this much sophisticated military hardware? Maybe so, I just haven't heard of it.
The other day I was reading about some Saudi prince's half a billion (!!!) dollar yacht.
Sometimes I wonder if I live in the same planet as these people. It is hard for me to imagine such wealth and power
- wmf 7y agoThis company is a US military contractor so they're effectively part of the government.
- numpad0 7y agoStill I believe there were laws forbidding private purchases of military planes. Weird if export buybacks didn’t count.
- balls187 7y ago> Do other first world countries allow non-government companies to hold this much sophisticated military hardware? No, they don't. And neither does the US. The F18 is now nearly 40 years old. Typically the advanced and sophisticated aspects of airframes are not allowed for sale, to private entities, or even non-us government ones. The advanced avionics, weapons systems, etc, are all tightly controlled.
- mthoms 7y agoThe article claims that the configuration will not change from what the RAAF had been flying, and that the planes have been more or less fitted with the most modern upgrades available. So, nothing rivaling next generation hardware but also nothing to sneeze at either.
- lobotryas 7y agoAlso no munitions. Unless you are worried about info leaks to China (who else is sophisticated enough to take advantage of it?) I’m not seeing your concern.
- angry_octet 7y agoThe munitions come from the US. They can be fitted if desired.
- balls187 7y agoI don't believe that pertains to software and advanced flight control systems. Instead things like larger displays, munition mount points, and radar cross sections, etc. The avionics provided are a modern variant of legacy systems, where the "cutting edge" is classified and held under strict expert control.
- angry_octet 7y agoExactly, the sale of these aircraft has to be approved by the US Govt. The sale of a squadron to Canada was also approved by the US. It is only because of the close AU-US relationship that these are supplied with electronics -- everything about them still being classifed TS.
- billfruit 7y agoUSAF is also looking to award a large contract for operating tanker aircraft for supporting training exercises of the USAF. Private companies will be operating aircraft to offer mid air refuelling for USAF training activities.
- lobotryas 7y agoWhy not? As a civ you can buy even a decommed tank if you got the money and stomach for beurocracy. The trick is buying ammunition for them and also undoing some decomm work that requires expertise and equipment.