Federal cabinet’s National Security Committee (NSC) is reportedly due to meet today (November 24) to consider second pass approval and commit to or delay a decision on the acquisition of the F-35 JSF for the RAAF. Most observers believe a delayed decision is most likely due to federal budget pressures, as well as delays to
The delivery of the first two Boeing Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft to the RAAF, scheduled for November 24, has been postponed at the eleventh hour. The two aircraft arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown on November 20, one coming in from being on display at the recent Dubai Airshow. Media who were scheduled to attend the handover
The Army formally has signed over its three King Air 350s, which were operated by 173 Squadron, to the RAAF. 16 Brigade (Aviation) Commander Brigadier Shayne Elder and Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mark Binskin signed the aircraft handover documents at RAAF Townsville on November 20. “The new fleet of King Airs can provide
The USAF has placed an order for five further Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk UAVs, comprising two Block 30 and three Block 40 airframes. The Block 30 aircraft will feature the Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS) that provides electro-optical/infrared and synthetic aperture radar imaging capabilities and Airborne Signals Intelligence Payloads (ELINT), while the Block 40s
Germany has said it will put the final 37 Eurofighters it has on order up for export sale. The final batch of aircraft, designated Tranche 3B, are part of the German government’s original 180 Eurofighter order commitment, but its requirement for the jet has now dropped to just 143. Rather than incur significant cancellation penalties,
The Indian Ministry of Defence has approved in principle a decision to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 transports in a deal valued at more than US$2bn (A$2.18bn). The deal, now subject to negotiations between the Indian and US governments after a formal request was sent to the US, would see the aircraft replace ageing Il-76 transports
