Hi Andrew
Thanks for the clarification.
The confusion seems to stem from a reporter's error over whether the C27Js will actually be "built" in the US or not. I based my initial comment on the following article which appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald On Line and the alleged remark by MinDef to the SMH reporter that they would be "built" in the US
"............New airlifters confirmed for RAAF David Ellery
May 10, 2012
Australia is to buy 10 C-27 Spartan battlefield airlifters, Defence Minister Stephen Smith said today.
The planes, to be built in the US, will begin arriving in 2015.They are the long-awaited replacements for the Vietnam War-era Caribous that were withdrawn from service in 2009............."
Since my initial post, I've been searching around for several days seeking more information about an Alenia factory in the U S and the closest I could find was the Alenia Aermacchi North America site which mentions its U S partner L-3 Communications having several facilities in Florida. Another site mentioned that the first U S C27J was built at Alenia’s factory in Turin, Italy and that the rest would be “assembled” at Cecil Field, County Duval, Florida.
So I agree with you that will be the case with Australia's order and that they won't actually be "built" in the U S A.
And I also agree that bugetary, not performance problems, were the reason for the premature retirement from USAF service.
But do you think that 10 is enough or should we have sought 12-16 from the outset ?
Cheers
Bob
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