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> 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. Th
by 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.