![]() Other non-NATO contributors now increasingly overshadow Australia's support," Coalition frontbenchers Simon Birmingham and Andrew Hastie wrote. The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, carrier-capable, multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft (hence the F/A. "Australia's commitments have failed to keep pace with our partners. In a letter to Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the opposition has urged the government to "urgently deliver a new and comprehensive package of support to the people of Ukraine in their defence against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion". ![]() "There are still many hurdles to clear before the F/A-18s can be sent to Ukraine," the official told the ABC, pointing to a shortage of appropriate personnel, training and a lack of spare parts.Ī figure familiar with the negotiations on Australia's possible transfer of F/A-18s said Ukraine had now formally assured the White House the warplanes would only be used to defend its own territorial airspace and not be sent on missions into Russian airspace.įrustrations are growing inside the Ukrainian community over the how long it has taken the Albanese government to unveil further support with this year's budget containing no new measures. Sources familiar with the negotiations say RAVN Aerospace is willing to "on-sell" the Hornets to Ukraine but first requires approval from the White House given the fourth-generation fighters have American intellectual property (IP).Īustralia's defence department would also have to formally change its contract with RAVN given the end user is currently listed as being in the United States, not Ukraine. The Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of Boeing "Classic" Hornets were retired in late 2021 after almost 40 years of service, which included bombing missions in the Middle East against Islamic State.Īfter the FA/18s were retired, Texas-based company RAVN Aerospace paid a deposit to purchase 41 of the multi-role fighters currently housed at RAAF Base Williamtown in varying states of airworthiness. Previously, Eurofighter jets crashed in Spain in 20, killing the pilots both times.High-level international negotiations are continuing between Australia, Ukraine, and the United States over the fate of the decommissioned fighter aircraft, in what could become this country's largest-ever single transfer of military equipment to a foreign power. The 34-year-old Eurofighter pilot was killed on the landing approach of the Albacete military base, some 300 kilometers (186 miles) southeast of Madrid. Last Thursday, a Eurofighter warplane also crashed after taking part in the Spanish national day parade. "Rescue teams are on their way," a ministry spokesman told the AFP news agency. However, the military confirmed that the deceased pilot was the only one on board the destroyed plane. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy expressed his condolences to the family of the 26-year-old pilot.Īlso, there was no immediate information about any other casualties on site. The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack. The cause of the incident was not immediately clear. Spanish Ministry of Defense confirmed that the F-18 pilot was killed when his fighter jet crashed during takeoff maneuvers. Television images showed thick smoke rising from the air base on the outskirts of Madrid after a deadly plane crash on Tuesday.
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