The Federal Government has agreed to sell 18 Hornets to the Canadian Government.
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Defence minister Marise Payne last week announced the sale of 18 Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 A/B Hornets.
The offer follows an expression of interest from the Canadian Government received in September.
The sale of the aircraft and associated spares remains subject to final negotiations and Country of Origin export approvals.
Defence plans to withdraw its fleet of F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets from service by 2022, which will be progressively replaced by the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, Australia's new fifth-generation air combat capability.
Minister Payne spoke with her Canadian counterpart, Minister for National Defence Harjit Sajjan, to welcome the sale.
“Australia greatly values our longstanding and broad bilateral defence relationship with Canada, and this decision is another example of our close and strong partnership,” Minister Payne said.
“The aircraft will supplement Canada’s existing fleet as it develops and implements its plan to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force fighter jet fleet.
Transfer of the first two aircraft is expected to occur from the first half of 2019, in line with the current plan to transition to the Joint Strike Fighter.
Australia’s first two Joint Strike Fighters are expected to arrive in Australia at the end of 2018.
The Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A and F/A-18B Hornets are multi-role fighter aircraft, capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
Both the single seat F/A-18A and twin seat F/A-18B can undertake air interception, air combat, close air support of ground troops, and interdiction of enemy supply lines including shipping.
Based at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal, the 71 F/A-18A/B Hornets are an integral part of Australia’s air combat capability.
The fleet has undergone a major avionics upgrade to ensure effective operations for the next 10 years.
In the last two years, the F/A-18A/Bs have participated in a range of exercises including Exercise Bersama Lima and Exercise Bersama Shield in Malaysia, Exercise Red Flag in Alaska and Exercise Pitch Black in the Northern Territory.
The F/A-18A/B Hornet is operated by:
- Number 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown
- Number 75 Squadron, RAAF Base Tindal
- Number 77 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown
- Number 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Base Williamtown for pilot training.
The Hornet is capable of air-to-air refuelling from the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport.
Air Force’s 71 F/A-18A/B Hornets will be replaced with 72 fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II aircraft from 2018.
The Hornet was developed for the US Navy and Marine Corps and has been a successful aircraft. It is also used by Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.
Two of Australia’s F-35A Joint Strike Fighters made their first appearance in Australia at the Australian International Airshow in March.
Some of the new JSF planes, like the Hornets, will be based at Tindal RAAF Base.
The new jets are the reason for a half billion dollar upgrade underway at Tindal.