Prime Minister Julia Gillard has confirmed that Australia
will go ahead with purchasing the F-35
Joint Strike Fighter from the US, despite the jets being grounded by the
Pentagon due to a cracked engine blade.
The US military on Saturday suspended all flights
operated by the fleet of 51 jets to investigate the turbine blade crack.
A statement issued by the Pentagon said that “it
is too early to know the fleet-wide impact of the recent finding."
The statement added that the F-35 Joint Program
Office is working closely with Pratt
& Whitney and Lockheed Martin
at all F-35 locations to ensure the integrity of the engine and to return the
fleet safely to flight as soon as possible.
PM Gillard told reporters on the weekend that Australia
would continue with the purchase of the first two JSFs, which have already been
paid for.
''We'll continue to monitor and be in discussions
about issues that have arisen and need to be addressed in the performance of
the joint strike fighter,'' Gillard said.
Gillard went on to say that
her government would not allow a gap to arise in the nation's air warfare
capabilities.
A statement issued by the Pentagon said that it is too early to know the fleet-wide impact of the recent finding.
