Head to head?

Caribou replacement decision nears

Budgetary pressures have meant sourcing a replacement for the RAAF’s DHC-4 Caribou has been long delayed, but the project to acquire a new battlefield airlifter (BFA), under the revised Air 8000 Phase 2 project, looks to be gathering momentum.

The Caribou, of course, was retired from RAAF service at the end of 2009, replaced by leased King Air 350s as interim light transports and to maintain multi-engine pilot proficiency and throughput until a definitive replacement is acquired. But that acquisition is nearing, with initial ‘First Pass’ approval for Air 8000 Phase 2 due this financial year.