A Defence spokesperson has clarified that despite previous government announcements suggesting otherwise, the first three Loyal Wingman aircraft developed are prototypes that are not owned by the Australian Government and will not be operated by the RAAF.
Speaking at a Coalition campaign launch in Brisbane on Sunday, Morrison stated that, if elected, the party will bolster Australia’s Loyal Wingman fleet by “a further seven aircraft”.
Local cyber company Penten has been tapped by the global defence prime to deliver advanced cyber security capabilities in support of its joint ‘system of systems’ offering for the RAAF.
The rubber-stamping of the purchase, first muted in January 2021, came alongside a commitment to spend $360 million for base upgrades at HMAS Albatross to accommodate the helicopters.
It follows the federal government announcing it would gift Ukraine 20 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles – including 14 with Protected Weapon Systems and two ambulance variants – alongside six M777 howitzers with ammunition.
The Australian Defence Force will open the gates of RAAF Base Amberley to the public for the first time since 2008 this October as part of its 2022 Ipswich Amberley Air Tattoo.
