Australian AF news

Dear sir,

This thread is for those of us who like Aussie air power.

THE RAAF’s three new aircraft – the Wedgetail, Joint Strike Fighter and Super Hornet – will stop the decline of Australia’s regional air superiority, a study shows.

But there is potential for maritime surveillance capability to be compromised while retirement of the Vietnam-era Caribou leaves the army without a transport aircraft able to operate from short, rough airfields.

In a review of RAAF capability, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said the air force was in the process of reworking its force structure, embarking on a decade-long process of renewal and augmentation.

ASPI analyst Dr Andrew Davies said F-111 strike aircraft were due to retire this year while Super Hornet strike fighters, Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft and Airbus KC-30A tankers were to enter service.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/raaf-flies-back-to-top-spot/story-e6frf7jo-1225883378906