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Australia has welcomed its final two EA-18G into its Growler electronic attack fleet, with a flypast over RAAF Base Amberley.
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Minister for Defence Marise Payne, together with Air Vice Marshal Steven Roberton, Air Commander Australia, today welcomed the full fleet, which now stands at 12 aircraft.
Minister Payne said the arrival of the Growler provides a potent and technologically advanced new capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
"We are the only country outside the United States operating the EA-18G Growler and the full fleet arrival represents a significant leap forward in joint electronic warfare capability," Minister Payne said.
"This is an amazing achievement for the ADF. These aircraft are able to support the full spectrum of Defence missions, including operations with coalition partners.
"The EA-18G Growlers will work with Army and Navy to deliver a networked joint force able to manoeuvre and fight in the electromagnetic spectrum.
"The arrival affirms the government’s commitment to maintain our capability edge and prepare for the more complex and high-tech conflicts of the future."
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies said he was extremely proud of all the personnel who have worked on this project both in Australia and overseas.
"The delivery of this capability shows what our Defence Force members are capable of alongside our US counterparts," AIRMSHL Davies said.
"The US Navy has been very generous in their training of our aircrew and maintenance teams, and we have cemented our reputation as credible coalition partners.
"Australian Growlers have already conducted successful weapon firings and integration flights with RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets and US Navy EA-18G Growlers as part of operational test and evaluation. We have also had the graduation of the first operational transition course.
"Through our partnership with the US Navy we are already planning to keep Growler at the forefront of electronic attack capability throughout the life of the aircraft.
"I wish to acknowledge the commitment of RAAF Base Amberley, the Estate & Industry Group and the 6 Squadron families who have generated the home of this exciting new aircraft."
The Growler is based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet airframe and fitted with additional avionics, enhanced radio frequency receivers, an improved communications suite and radio-frequency jamming pods. It will provide a complementary capability to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
The Boeing-built EA-18G Growler purchase includes the aircraft, required mission and support systems, training and ongoing support to effectively develop and operate a Growler capability. Defence plans to achieve initial operational capability in 2018.
