posted on Jun, 27 2018 @ 08:00 AM
a reply to:
Zaphod58
Yes Australian DoD purchases usually have some component of support package attached hence the inflated price, but as I have pointed out in the past
they seem excessive these days. This one in particular when you compare it with other MQ-4C purchases. such as $255 million (plus another $49 million
earlier for long lead items) for 3 signed in December
2017.
Article. Wiki sites a 2015 cost of a bit over $120
per airframe, which seems in line with this. Germany also recently announced that it was to purchase 4 Tritons for $2.5 Billion as well, and that
includes a sustainment package. I understand that if you want to buy into someone else's program that there is always a buy in cost, that's fine. What
I dont understand is why we are paying roughly 8 times the bare cost and 40% more than a comparable cost by Germany
here. That sustainment package must
include some free extra hidden airframes or else its frankly a bit hard to swallow. I have noticed in the past with these deals we sign that despite
the sustainment package the AU DoD still quotes high annual systems operating costs on their balance sheet. I wonder what else we are getting that's
not in the contract, could we be doing the same thing as Singapore is rumored to have done with its F-15SE's and actually be buying a larger number
that are hidden on the books?
edit on 27-6-2018 by thebozeian because: (no reason given)