THE federal government says its decision to defer Australia's acquisition of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft for two years will limit its exposure to the rising costs of the program.
Responding to an ABC TV program on the aircraft's deficiencies, a spokeswoman for defence minister Stephen Smith said an earlier review of Australia's air combat needs had concluded the JSF was the preferred aircraft.
"Deferring our project by two years reduces our exposure to increasing costs and provides increased time for resolution of the remaining technical challenges," she said.
The 2009 Defence White Paper found that a fleet of up to 100 would be needed, leading the government to approve the purchase of an initial 14 aircraft at a cost of $3.2 billion.
So far $445 million has been spent.
However, Australia is contractually committed to acquire just two aircraft, due to be delivered in the US in 2014 and 2015.
Mr Smith's spokeswoman said the government decided in last year's budget that the purchase of the next 12 would be deferred for two years.
At the time of approval in 2009, the government believed there were sufficient schedule and cost buffers built into the acquisition to avoid a capability gap should the US program experience delays or cost pressures.
"Subsequently, costs have increased, although acquisition of the first 14 aircraft remains affordable within the $3.2 billion approved," she said.
Last year the government directed Defence to examine a range of air combat capability options, including seeking up-to-date pricing on additional Super Hornets.
"The government has not made any decision on the total number of Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to be procured, nor has it made any decision to purchase more Super Hornets," she said.
"The government will further and fully consider Australia's air combat capability in the context of the 2013 Defence White Paper to be delivered in the first half of this year."
Former Defence Force chief Angus Houston said despite delays in completing development, the aircraft are still expected to have the capabilities necessary to meet RAAF requirements for air combat and strike missions.
"I am still convinced that the JSF is the right air combat aircraft to meet Australia's future security needs," he said in a statement.
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