Time for a Caribou replacement

Australia’s medium lift short takeoff and landing (STOL) air capabilities, long proven essential in action and civil aid, are severely diminished, with the capability in danger of being completely lost.

The need is clear, from combat theatres such as Afghanistan, to civil aid at home and disaster relief for our northern and Pacific neighbours, most of whom can’t help with few having STOL airlift aircraft of their own. The RAAF’s retirement of the Caribou late last year has left a big hole.