Three new Super Hornet fighter planes arrive in Australia

The Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today welcomed three new F/A-18F Super Hornets worth more than $175 million to RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

“The Super Hornet is one of the best fighter planes in the world and are being delivered on budget and ahead of schedule,” Mr Clare said.

“They are potent fighting machines that give our Air Force an impressive strike capability.”

This is the fourth batch of Super Hornets the RAAF has received, bringing the current Australian fleet to eighteen.

A further six aircraft will be delivered by the end of the year.

“The Super Hornet is built by Boeing at its production line in St Louis, Missouri. It has been flown by the US Navy since 2001,” Mr Clare said.

“The Super Hornet gives the Royal Australian Air Force the capability to conduct air-to-air combat; to strike targets on land and at sea; to suppress enemy air defences; and to conduct reconnaissance.”

The first 15 Super Hornets became operational on 8 December last year, following the retirement of the iconic F-111.

“The Super Hornets have been delivered on budget and ahead of schedule because of the teamwork of the manufacturer Boeing, the United States Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Defence Materiel Organisation,” Mr Clare said.

“It’s a great example of Defence, Government and Industry working together to deliver results.”

The Super Hornets will ensure Australia’s air combat capability is maintained until the full introduction into service of the Joint Strike Fighter.

Imagery is available at:

http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=11120142

Vision:

Vision has been fed to networks at Parliament House.

Media contact: Tim Quadrio – (02) 6277 7620.