The Russians though have been giving some of these away to other Airforces, Indonesia has got them, and the RAAF has vitually lost our only effective fighter against them- the F-111. There needs to be more fighters like it however, no-one has tackled the problem of creating a fighter just as good. It is okay for the Americans as they have a lot of money, Airforce bases etc. everywhere to defend themselves but Australia doesn't and therefore Australia needs the long-range fighters. Even aerial refueling doesn't really work that well in extending the FA-18s reach over the whole of Australia. The F-111 is a proven aircraft, and we won't get its replacement until 2015 or more- an aircraft designed to replace the F/A-18 Hornet in US service. Therefore it is doubtful whether it will meet Australia's need for a long-range fighter. Maybe it is time Australia started shoping around rather than going straight to the US. Russia being a country with areas similar to Australia in remoteness may have what Australia needs to use to maintain an effective airforce. Australia's F-111 will also be retired before the replacement is due in service, leaving us without this capability. Some of the airforces on Australia's back door-step are armed with this aircraft as well as other Soviet designs.