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The Federal government in April opted to sell 50 Mirage fighters - currently stored at Woomera under protective cover - to Pakistan for just $36m, even though the value of the aircraft was estimated '.n early 1988 (with spares) at about $100m. The sale has been arranged despite concerns raised the previous Minister for Defence, Mr Kim Beazley, that a sale to Pakistan could be a political risk. Indeed, India - whose relations with Pakistan can best be described? as tense - has strongly objected to the sale, which comes at a time when Australia seeks to improve relations with India, which is expected to become an international power during the next 20 years. Delivery is scheduled for late 1990 so any move towards hostilities between the two countries in the coming months would most likely curtail the sale. Pakistan currently operates 30 Mirage Ill and 60 Mirage 5 aircraft with the R A AF aircraft being largely purchased as attrition spares.
Newsdesk – Military Aviation
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Italy and Spain Buy Harrier:
The US Navy, Italy and Spain have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding covering the joint purchase of up to 100 McDonnell Douglas/BAe Harrier Il Plus S/VTOL strike aircraft, a more capable development of the current AV-8B Harrier Il fitted with multimode Hughes APG-65 radar which enable the aircraft to engage targets with beyond visual range missiles. The MoU is scheduled to be signed this month, enabling the development of the aircraft and its radar to proceed. The US requirement is for 30-40 Harrier Il Pluses for the Marine Corps, the Itelians need 15 (plus two TAV-8B trainers) and the Spanish between 12 and 30. The latter countries are expected to order 12 each initially along with six options, Spain intending to replace its 12 EAV-8Bs (which will return to the USA) with the new aircraft. It is expected the Harrier II Plus will be powered by the 23,000lb thrust Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-61 turbofan engine.
Indonesian Links:
Australia’s ever improving relationship with Indonesia has received another boost following the forma- tion of new defence links with our northern neighbour. After a four year period of virtually no defence cooperation between the two nations, the new links include the regular exchange of views on the regional strategic situation, study visits to explore cooperation logistics, training and surveying and increasing the number of places for Indonesians at Australian staff colleges.
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