Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Indeed I can, because whilst our attack and strike aircraft receive significant attention, they are just one part of the story of Air Force's developing capabilities. We are also significantly upgrading our surveillance and transport capabilities.

Air Force has also welcomed the first of its next generation maritime patrol and response aircraft recently, the P-8A Poseidon. The P-8s will greatly enhance Australia's ability to keep our borders secure and to guard our maritime approaches. They are replacing the much-used P-3, which has been in service for almost 50 years.

Late last year the C-27J Spartan aircraft also came into operational service. What the Spartan gives us is the capacity to carry significant cargo loads, do significant work in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and, importantly, to land on runways of a far greater range than, for example, the Hercules aircraft are able to.

In February, final operational capability was declared for the KC-30A transport and refuelling aircraft as well. (Time expired)