Defence Secretary has signed a $1.98Bn deal
to purchase five E-7 aircraft.
The E-7 fleet will replace the current Sentry aircraft and ensure
the continued delivery of the UK’s Airborne Early Warning and
Control (AEW&C) capability.
Named “Wedgetail” by the Australian Department for Defence, the
E-7 aircraft can fly for long periods of time and manage the
battlespace from the sky.
Defence Secretary said:
The E-7 provides a technological edge in an increasingly
complex battlespace, allowing our ships and aircraft to track
and target adversaries more effectively than ever. This deal
also strengthens our vital military partnership with Australia.
We will operate state-of-the-art F-35 jets and world-class
Type-26 warships, and this announcement will help us work even
more closely together to tackle the global threats we face.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier,
said:
Today’s announcement about the procurement of five E-7
‘Wedgetail’ Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft is
excellent news for both the RAF and wider Defence. This
world-class capability, already proven with our Royal
Australian Air Force partners, will significantly enhance our
ability to deliver decisive airborne command and control and
builds on the reputation of our E3D Sentry Force.
Along with Defence’s investment in other cutting-edge aircraft,
E-7 will form a core element of the Next Generation Air Force,
able to overcome both current and future complex threats.
The new fleet will be able to track multiple airborne and
maritime targets at the same time, using the information it
gathers to provide situational awareness and direct other assets
such as fighter jets and warships.
The E-7 is a proven aircraft that is currently in-service with
the Royal Australian Air Force and has been used on operations in
the battle against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
The E-7 is based on a standard Boeing 737 NG airliner modified to
carry a sophisticated Northrop Grumman active
electronically-scanned radar. This can cover four million square
kilometres over a 10-hour period.
Modification of the aircraft will be carried out in the UK,
sustaining over 200 highly skilled jobs at Marshall Aerospace and
Defence Group in Cambridge, and there will also be opportunities
for British suppliers to be involved in future training and
support arrangements.
This announcement builds on a growing military capability and
industrial relationship between the UK and Australia, after the
Australian government selected the British Type 26 design for its
future frigate.
