Defence White Paper 2013, released by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith in Canberra on May 3, says...
The acquisition replaces the Government’s original plan to convert 12 of Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) existing F-18 Super Hornets to Growler configuration.
The 24 Super Hornets at RAAF Base Amberley will now be retained in their current air combat and strike capability configuration and supported by an additional 12 Growlers.
This decision is designed to strengthen Australia’s air combat capability during transition to the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, with the Super Hornets expected to be withdrawn in about 2030.
“We will not allow a gap to occur in our air combat capability,” Mr Smith said. “This is ourmost significant purchase since the F-111.”
Australia remains committed to acquiring the fifth-generation F-35 JSF aircraft, with three operational squadrons planned to enter service beginning around 2020 to replace the F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft.
A decision on replacing the Super Hornets with additional JSF aircraft will be made closer to the withdrawal of the Super Hornets.
A derivative of the US Navy's maritime strike aircraft, F/A-18 Hornet, the EA-18G Growler is an airborne electronic attack aircraft, fitted with multiple jamming pods that are designed to counter enemy air defences using both reactive and pre-emptive jamming techniques that disrupt enemy aircraft electronics, land radars and communications.
RAAF acquired a total of 24 Super Hornet fighters, as part of a $6 billion deal with the US, as an interim replacement for its ageing F-111 fighter aircraft fleet, which was decommissioned from service in December 2010.
The White Paper also committed to replace the Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion maritime surveilance fleet with the Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft, boosted by unmanned aircraft for maritime surveillance and fleet overwatch.
