Australia wants to buy support equipment and upgrades for RAAF Super Hornets and Growler aircraft

AUSTRALIA wants to buy almost $2 billion worth of support equipment and upgrades to keep RAAF Super Hornets and Growler aircraft flying.

IRAQ .. Two F/A-18F Super Hornets depart for a mission after air-to-air refuelling. This is the last mission for Number 1 Squadron on this rotation in the Middle East Region. *** Local Caption *** Australia’s Air Task Group (ATG) as part of Operation OKRA now comprises six RAAF F/A-18 Hornets, an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft. Nearly 400 personnel have deployed to the Middle East as part of, or in direct support of the ATG. Operation OKRA is the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the international effort to combat the Daesh terrorist threat in Iraq. Australia's contribution is being closely coordinated with the Iraqi government, Gulf nations and a broad coalition of international partners.

AUSTRALIA wants to buy almost $2 billion worth of support equipment and upgrades to keep RAAF Super Hornets and Growler aircraft flying.

As well, Australia is seeking to buy almost $350 million worth of spares and upgrades for the AEGIS combat systems on three yet to be launched Hobart-class air warfare destroyers.

Both proposed deals have been approved by the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency which, under US law, notifies Congress of potential foreign sales of US military equipment.

Neither has been officially approved in Canberra.

Australia now operates 24 Super Hornet aircraft and is in the process of acquiring 12 Growler electronic warfare variants of the Super Hornet.

The $US1.5 billion ($A1.87 billion) deal will include engine and system upgrades, test and training equipment and spare parts.

Prime contractor will be US aerospace firm Boeing.

For the air warfare destroyers, Australia wants to buy spares, test equipment and computer updates in a deal worth $US275 million ($A343.26 million).

Lockheed Martin will be prime contractor.