Flying in the face of facts

Does the Defence Department really expect us to believe the replacement for Australia's fighter jets will cost a mere $80 million for each F-35?  A cursory review of the US Senate estimates states that the F-35 will cost $500 million each.  

A simple reality check should have been the extensive media coverage over the navy paying almost a billion dollars for  dozen light helicopters. 

Are we to believe that a "fifth-generation" stealth aircraft would cost no more than a small helicopter. With such ridiculous cost estimates, it is no wonder defence has cost overruns.

Published in the Age, 4 July 2002

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