Will the SDR make big decisions and refocus Australia's strategy? "It ultimately comes down to the ultimate question that we're not really good at answering in this country what are we really trying do with our military?" Marcus Hellyer of ASPI said.
With the different designs converging on similar physical specs – weight, powerplant, weapons – the competition comes down to digital intangibles: AI, electronics, and ease of upgrade.
The Ministry of Defense is not expected to make its recommendation to the government until the end of October, at the earliest, said one source familiar with the issue.