Breaking news
Royal Australian Air Force considers acquisition of up to 4 new C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft.
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World
Aviation Defense and Security News - Australia |
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| Royal Australian Air Force considers acquisition of up to 4 new C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft | |||
The RAAF could
operate a total fleet of up to 10 Boeing C-17A Globemasters after Defence
Minister Senator David Johnston announced on Friday, October 3rd, that
Australia is to acquire at least two additional C-17s and is considering
the acquistion of a further two examples of the heavylift transport.
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 RAAF C-17A Globemaster III heavylift transport aircraft |
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“Should
the government elect to exercise this option, the two extra Globemasters
would significantly enhance the Royal Australian Air Force’s capacity
for operational tasks, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance in
our region and around the world,” Minister Johnston said
in a statement. Further, the Minister said that the government has requested pricing and availability data through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for a further two C-17s, which would take the total RAAF fleet to 10. Decisions regarding the acquisition of the ninth and tenth aircraft are being informed by the Force Structure Review being develped as part of the 2015 Defence White Paper process, he said in a statement on Friday. “Since the first delivery in 2006, we have seen the C-17A Globemaster perform exceptionally well at the forefront of Australia’s military operations and humanitarian work. Recent global events have seen Australia’s national capabilities like the C-17A come to the fore to assist our friends and allies.” The additional C-17s would integrate seamlessly into the existing fleet based at RAAF Base Amberley, the Defence Minister added. The Minister first revealed the government was considering extra C-17s in an August interview with News Limited, where he called the acquisition a “no-brainer“. |
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