David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence. Could the minister please update the Senate on the introduction into service of Australia's next generation combat aircraft?

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

I thank Senator Fawcett, the chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade for his question. Indeed, in the 2016 white paper the Turnbull government committed to creating a more capable, agile and potent Australian Defence Force, and that is exactly what we are doing. It has been an historic few weeks for the Royal Australian Air Force in that context.

I am very pleased to advise that the first of Australia's EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft have now entered service after making their debut at the Avalon Airshow recently. The Growlers, which give Australia a dedicated electronic attack capability for the first time, made their debut at the end of last month. Through their jamming ports the Growlers can disrupt military electronic systems such as radars to protect our personnel and particularly to improve our situational awareness.

I was at RAAF Base Amberley two weeks ago, where the government is investing more than $350 million to upgrade facilities to support this very important new capability. I spoke to crew, maintainers and base leadership about the new planes. They are very excited by the prospect that by the middle of the year all 12 Growlers will be based at Amberley as part of No. 6 Squadron, significantly enhancing Australia's air power when it achieves initial operational capability next year.

Also, our first two F-35A Joint Strike Fighters also made their Australian debut at Avalon. This is a very important milestone for the Australian Joint Strike Fighter, and gave those who attended the air show a view of Australia's future combat aircraft and two very impressive pilots the opportunity to pilot them from the US to Australia for the show. When Australia's F-35As enter service in 2020 it will mark a significant step forward in our air combat capability.

Together, the F-35A and the Growler represent a potent and technologically advanced air combat and strike capability that is essential to our ability to defend Australia and to support our national interests.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fawcett, a supplementary question?

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could the minister provide any further updates on how the Turnbull government is creating a more potent and capable Royal Australian Air Force?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to 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)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fawcett, a final supplementary question?

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could the minister outline how the Air Force is working to maximise the capabilities of this new generation of aircraft?

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

I did want to say in response to the previous question that those tankers—the KC-30As—are currently doing a very significant job as part of the air task group in the Middle East as well.

In terms of maximising those capabilities, we need to ensure that we fully utilise the technology that underpins those cutting edge new aircraft. Air Force has begun to implement Plan Jericho, which will ensure that our aircraft are networked and can operate seamlessly with our air, land and sea forces in real time. The ability to collect, analyse and disseminate information across our capabilities is increasingly important. Some of the technologies that will underpin Plan Jericho were also on display at the Avalon Airshow. There is a really genuine spirit of cooperation between industry, academia and our allies and partners to turn Plan Jericho into reality.

We are committed to creating a more potent, agile and capable ADF, as we said in the white paper. These steps for the Royal Australian Air Force will enable us to fully exploit the capabilities of our new aircraft. (Time expired)