Free Republic

Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith has decided to delay an order for more JSF F-35 fighters. The Royal Australian Air Force is scheduled to receive a second batch of 58 Joint Strike Fighters, and Smith's decision to delay the order is being criticized, as it may increase their final cost. Both Ministry of Defense and industry critics say the decision could create the air warfare capability gap the government says it is trying to avoid, The Canberra Times reported Thursday. Last month Smith told Parliament he worried that ''a delay in the production of the Joint Strike Fighter and the...