Considering the source, no. Expecting a broadsheet newspaper to be capable of accurately reporting on Intelligence matters is ridiculous...
Read the "Lessons learned" on Operation Catalyst and I don't think you'll find improved intelligence arrangements as a recommendation...
Yes those examples were from the Vietnam era, and prior to the deployments in 2002/3 were the last attempted operational deployment of tactical fighters, which still makes it relevent in my opinion.
As to the guarantee this is what Australia has signed, and the UK and Canada and the Netherlands too...
[FONT="]AUSTRALIA ENTERS NEXT PHASE OF THE JSF PROGRAM[/FONT]
[FONT="]I am pleased to announce that Australia has entered the next stage of the F-35 JSF Program by signing the JSF Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development (PSFD) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). [/FONT]
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[FONT="]The PSFD MoU was signed for the US Government by the US Deputy Secretary of Defense, Mr Gordon England, and by me on behalf of the Australian Government. [/FONT]
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[FONT="]The MoU signing was completed in association with the AUSMIN defence talks in Washington D.C. and re-emphasised the strength of the long-term relationship between Australia and the United States and emphasised the mutual benefits of defence cooperation. [/FONT]
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[FONT="]Australia is the fourth international Partner to sign the PSFD MoU, the Netherlands, Canada and the United Kingdom formally committing to the next phase of the program. The four remaining Partners in the Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase are expected to sign the MoU in the next few months.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The PSFD MoU provides the cooperative framework for the acquisition and support of the JSF over its life and provides significant financial and non-financial benefits from the ongoing partnership. The MoU and associated documents also guarantees Australia’s access to the technology and data it needs to operate and support the JSF to meet Australia’s sovereign defence needs. Entering into the MoU also opens up billions of dollars in opportunities for Australian industry, building on its success in the development phase.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]To date 21 Australian companies have won approximately US$100 million worth of work in SDD phase. That work is expected to multiply significantly into the production and subsequent sustainment phases.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The Minister for Industry also welcomed signature of the MoU saying “The Departments of Industry and Defence will continue to work with Australian industry as JSF Team Australia – all of Government and all of industry working together – to secure the opportunities through the life of the JSF Program.”[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The Government gave First Pass Approval for the AIR 6000 New Air Combat Capability project last month but Australia will not make an acquisition decision for the JSF until after Second Pass, scheduled for late 2008.
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