By NIGEL PITTAWAY
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — Australian Defence Minister Sen. David Johnston announced Friday that up to four more Boeing C-17A Globemaster III strategic airlifters could be acquired for the Royal Australian Air Force.
Johnston said that the government has begun the process of purchasing two additional aircraft and that it has also requested pricing and availability data for two further aircraft through the US foreign military sales process.
The minister’s office confirmed to Defense News that the second two C-17As are options and will be considered under Australia’s defense white paper process. The white paper is due to be released in the middle of next year.
The initial two aircraft will bring Australia’s C-17A fleet to eight, which Johnston said would “significantly enhance” the Air Force’s capacity to conduct military airlift and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations around the world.
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