Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare welcomed the arrival of four more Super Hornets at an official ceremony held at RAAF Base Amberley today, completing two squadrons for the Royal Australian Air Force.
The four new fighter jets will join 20 others, which will be operated by No. 1 Squadron and No. 6 Squadron of the RAAF.
Mr Clare was on-hand to welcome the four new Super Hornets to their base at RAAF Amberley.
The occasion was marked by a flight of 21 Super Hornets over northern NSW and south-east Queensland, with one of the planes flown by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Brown.
The 24 Super Hornets have been delivered over the past two years – on budget and ahead of schedule.
The purchase of the Super Hornets will ensure Australia’s regional air combat capability until the arrival of the Joint Strike Fighter later this decade.
The Super Hornet gives the Royal Australian Air Force the capability to conduct air-to-air combat, strike targets on land and at sea, suppress enemy air defences and conduct reconnaissance.
It is an operationally proven aircraft that has been flown by the United States Navy since 2001.
The United States Navy has operated Super Hornets in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
Australia is the first country outside the United States to fly the Super Hornet.
Mr Clare said that this was an important day for the RAAF.
“The Super Hornets are the new front line of Australia’s Defence Force,” Mr Clare said.
“They are amongst the best fighter planes in the world – and all 24 aircraft have been delivered on budget and ahead of schedule.
“I congratulate the aircraft’s manufacturer Boeing, the Air Force and Defence for the work they have done.”
Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said that the local community also welcomed the Super Hornets.
“RAAF Amberley is a very important part of our community and we’re very proud to be the home of the Super Hornet,” Mr Neumann said.
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Minister for Defence Materiel – Address to welcome the arrival of the Super Hornet fighter jets RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland
United States Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Jeffrey Bleich. Senator Gary Humphries, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Materiel. Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown. Councilor Paul Pisasale, Mayor of the City of Ipswich. Mr Warren King, Acting CEO of the Defence Materiel Organisation. Mr Dennis Muilenburg. Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Defense, Space and Security. Mr Ian Thomas, President of Boeing Australia & South Pacific. Rear Admiral Donald Gaddis, Program Executive Officer – Tactical Aircraft Programs United States Navy. Ladies and gentlemen.
Today is a big day for Air Force – it’s a big day for Ipswich, it’s a big day for Queensland, it’s a big day for Australia.
This is the new frontline of the Australian Defence Force.
It was a very sad day here in December when we farewelled the mighty F-111s.
But today, is proof that we made the right decision.
In less than two years, all 24 Super Hornets have arrived – on budget and ahead of schedule.
We spend a lot of money in Defence.
This is a $6 billion project over 10 years. It is money well-spent.
This project is a great success story and there a lot of people to thank.
First, the men and women of the Royal Australian Air Force, on the ground and in the air.
The team at Defence and in DMO who managed the project.
The team at Boeing – here in Australia and in the US.
Boeing’s partners, Northrop Grumman, General Electric and Raytheon.
The United States Government.
And can I personally acknowledge the work Ambassador Bleich on this and many other things we do together.
I also pay credit to the former Minister for Defence Brendan Nelson who made the decision to buy these planes, when the success of today was not so easy to see.
The Super Hornets would not be in Australia if not for the decision that he made four-and-a-half years ago.
The Super Hornet gives us the fire power we need to protect Australian skies until the arrival of the Joint Strike Fighter later this decade.
Today we know that until that day comes we are in good hands.