The RAAF takes delivery of the most advanced warfare jet ever made, the Boeing Growler

THE RAAF is set to match the US Navy’s firepower with 12 Boeing ‘Growler’ warfare jets. And they will cost taxpayers a hefty sum.

RAAF joins very exclusive club

AUSTRALIA’S regional air power dominance is assured with the delivery of the first of 12 RAAF EA-18G “Growler” electronic warfare jets.

The first of the Boeing-built aircraft was unveiled during a lavish ceremony at the company’s St Louis production plant.

As a brass band belted out patriotic tunes hundreds of guests including recently retired RAAF chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, Boeing staff and a large contingent of RAAF officers including Air Combat commander Air Commodore Steve Roberton admired the most expensive Australian fighter jet to ever carry the kangaroo markings.

Price justified ... Recently retired chief of the air force Air Marshal Geoff Brown says the price tag on the Growlers is justified because it guarantees air superiority. Picture: Supplied.

“It will have the biggest strategic effect on the ADF since the F-111 in the 1970s,” Air Marshal Brown said.

Taxpayers will fork out about $3.7 billion for the dozen planes and that includes weapons, training, life support and the construction of special electronic ranges near Amberley and at Bradshaw south of Darwin.

Only the United States Navy — which will have 153 of the jets — and the RAAF will operate what is billed as the world’s most powerful electronic attack fighter jet. The RAAF’s Amberley based Number 6 Squadron will operate the hi-tech fighters.

The Growler’s internal and external electronic weapons can knock out systems across the electromagnetic spectrum ranging from missile radars through to mobile phone networks.

Air Marshal Brown, who was a prime mover for the Growler purchase, insisted that the hefty price tag was justified.

Lucky number one ... The first RAAF Growler at Boeing's St Louis production plant. Picture: Supplied

He told News Corp Australia that you had to pay the price today for a unique capability that would be around for 30 years or more.

“Unless you can actually guarantee air superiority you can’t do any other land or sea operations,” he said.

“To have these sort of airplanes makes the whole of the rest of defence function.”

The primary role of the Growler is to fly into enemy territory and to use its powerful jammers and other sensors to knock out enemy radars and to render anti-air missile systems useless.

That allows other strike aircraft and transport jets to fly safely into the battle space.

“It is a totally unique capability that will be crucial to our future operations,” Air Marshal Brown said.

“Having Growler means that you can actually protect your transport planes.”

Head of the US Navy’s Tactical Aircraft Programs, Rear Admiral Donald Gaddis, welcomed Australia into the very exclusive Growler club.

He said the RAAF was starting to look like the US Navy with its new fleets of Growlers, P-8 Maritime Patrol planes, Super Hornets and Triton unmanned surveillance jets. In addition dozens of RAAF officers are “embedded” with US Navy units, including operational squadrons, at

bases across the United States.

* Ian McPhedran travelled to the US as a guest of Boeing