Defence Minister Robert Hill today saw the first airframe for Australia’s new $3.45 billion airborne early warning and control aircraft fleet – fresh off the production line at Boeing’s Military Flight Centre in Seattle, United States.

"When Australia’s new AEW&C Wedgetail aircraft enter service, they will form a leading edge air and maritime surveillance capability to protect our borders and a critical enhancement to our combat capability," Senator Hill said.

"The aircraft can perform a range of tasks including air defence, over-the-horizon targeting, search and rescue, battlefield surveillance and civil support operations – such as coastal surveillance.

"Crucially, it is a new generation of aircraft that will be interoperable with our key coalition partners and provide a valuable niche capability for future coalition operations."

The AEW&C platform is based on Boeing’s next generation 737 aircraft which is then modified to accommodate various highly sophisticated mission systems, radars and antennae.

"With the first air frame ready for modification we expect our first Wedgetail aircraft to fly before the end of the year – around six months ahead of schedule – with the first two aircraft of the fleet expected to be in service in 2007," Senator Hill said.

"Defence’s Project Wedgetail is off to a great start. It is under budget and ahead of schedule – evidence that the Government’s acquisition reforms are beginning to bear fruit."

Under the terms of the contract signed with Boeing in December 2000, Defence will be acquiring four AEW&C aircraft with the option of purchasing an additional two or three aircraft at pre-agreed prices.

Under the partnership agreement with Boeing, Australian industry is involved in the design and development of radar and electronic warfare systems, manufacture of radar components and ongoing support of the new aircraft.

Australian industry is also well positioned for future sales of AEW&C aircraft, such as Boeing’s recent contract with Turkey.