The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has commenced the drawdown of its classic Hornet fleet with the delivery of the first two F/A-18A/Bs to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
The two F/A-18A single-seat classic Hornets, RAAF tail numbers A21-53 and A21-55, arrived at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake in Alberta on February 16, following their deployment to Exercise Red Flag 19-1 in Nevada.
The sale to Canada, which was confirmed in December, covered a total of 25 aircraft – 18 RAAF Hornets as interim fighters to complement their fleet of similarly configured CF-18s, and a further seven jets to be used as spares and test articles.
“The interim fighter fleet is key to ensuring the Royal Canadian Air Force can continue to fulfil their missions and ensure the safety of Canadians and Canada,” Harjit Sajjan, the Canadian defence minister, said in a statement on February 17.
“We are familiar with these aircraft and are confident that they can provide the additional support our current fleet requires.
“They were flown in yesterday by the Royal Australian Air Force and I look forward to seeing them fly again soon in our Canadian colours.”
The Canadian government said the RAAF aircraft were the same type as its current CF-18 fleet and would be integrated quickly into the fleet following some modifications and technical work.
All aircraft were expected to be delivered by the end of 2021.
Now that our two first interim fighter jets have arrived the real work begins! Check out the modifications we will soon be making to the aircraft. pic.twitter.com/uAjqat4tLu
— Canadian Armed Forces (@CanadianForces) February 17, 2019
Check out our two latest fighter jets, flown in by the @ausairforce yesterday. The next time you see these, they will be in @RCAF_ARC colours and flown by Canadian pilots.https://t.co/yjJz9E4Ia7 pic.twitter.com/HuhaJ5StfF
— Canadian Armed Forces (@CanadianForces) February 17, 2019
The aircraft will be employed at 3 Wing Bagotville and 4 Wing Cold Lake.
Canada said it expected to release its formal request for proposals for the future fighter fleet later in 2019, with the contract due to be awarded in 2021-22 and deliveries to begin in 2025.
The RAAF is gradually withdrawing its classic Hornets as it take delivery of new F-35As.
The first two F-35As are now in country, with another eight scheduled to be delivered through the course of 2019. Initial operational capability was planned for the end of 2020.
“Australia and Canada have a longstanding defence relationship and this sale is an excellent example of our mutual commitment towards supporting our respective defence capabilities,” Defence Minister Christopher Pyne said in a statement.
“These jets have served Australia very well and will now continue to make a positive contribution to the air combat capability of one of our closest allies.”
The weather was cold but the reception was warm at the handover of the first two @AusAirForce F/A-18 Hornets to @CanadianForces at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. These jets are a part of the strong defence ties between ?? & ??. pic.twitter.com/vptYOq8WmQ
— Natasha Smith (@AusHCCanada) February 17, 2019
The two Hornets were handed over by the RAAF’s Commander Air Combat Group, AIRCDRE Mike Kitcher, and Commanding Officer 77SQN, WGCDR Jason Easthope. The aircraft were part of the last batch manufactured for the RAAF at Avalon near Melbourne in 1989 and delivered in early 1990.
The RAAF took delivery of 57 single-seat F/A-18As and 18 two-seat F/A-18Bs between 1985 and 1990. All but the first two F/A-18Bs were assembled at Avalon, initially from knock-down kits, but with gradually increasing amount of locally manufactured components as production progressed.
VIDEO: The official handover ceremony of the first two RAAF F/A-18A/B classic Hornets to the Royal Canadian Air Force from the Australian Aviation YouTube channel.
