Defence Update — Future Upgrades for F/A-18 Force

Phased Upgrade Programme Planned For Raaf’s F/A-18 Hornets

A phased upgrade programme to maintain a technological edge in the region through until well into the 21st Century is planned for the Royal Australian Air Force’s 71 front line F/A-18 Hornet fighters. The Project, known as Air 5376, is moving ahead under the Five Year Defence Planning (Fydp) process, and will come at a time when some regional air forces are equipping with Mikoyan MiG-29s, Mdc F/A-18C and D models, and Lockheed F-16s. It is but one of a number of Raaf projects which seeks to enhance existing capabilities or provide the latest opportunities by way of new or modernised aircraft and support over the next decade.

Two such projects are the F-111 Aup and Esm programmes which are providing an avionics upgrade and new electronic support measures for the Air Force’s two squadrons of strike/reconnaissance jets based at Amberley. Another is the Lead-in Fighter which aims to replace the ageing Macchi MB-326 jet trainer which already has experienced structural problems.

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