Royal Australian Air Force

Sep- 2026 -

23 September

Air

A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft representing No. 11, No. 12, and No. 292 Squadrons (centre), an MQ-4C Triton from No. 9 Squadron (left), and an MC-55A Peregrine from No. 10 Squadron representing the Air "ISR Family" of jets in No. 92 Wing at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. This image has been digitally altered. *** Local Caption *** On Tuesday 22 September 2026, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles MP, accompanied by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM, visited RAAF Base Edinburgh to announce a series of significant milestones for Australia's Air Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (Air ISR) capabilities. The Acting Prime Minister announced the achievement of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine, the completion of major upgrades to the first two P-8A Poseidon aircraft in Australia's fleet in the United States, and the forthcoming commencement of upgrades to the remaining fleet at the recently opened Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh. These milestones represent a significant enhancement to the Royal Australian Air Force's ability to deliver persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance effects across Australia's primary area of military interest. RAAF Base Edinburgh is the Royal Australian Air Force's principal Air ISR hub and home to No. 92 Wing, which operates the P-8A Poseidon, MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine through Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 292 Squadrons. Built through years of collaboration between Defence, industry and the United States, Australias integrated Air ISR fleet continues to grow.

Australia Reaches Key ISR Milestones Across Triton, Peregrine, and Poseidon Fleets

The Royal Australian Air Force has declared initial operational capability for its MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial systems and MC-55A Peregrine jets, alongside the completion and upgrade of the military’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission fleet.

Aug- 2026 -

11 August

Air

Bea Castañeda

EA-18G Growler: The Electronic Warfare Fighter Clearing the Way

No aircraft dominates the electromagnetic spectrum like the Growler. This guide explains how it jams radars, disrupts communications, and enables air superiority on the modern battlefield.

10 August

Arms

Rojoef Manuel

Australia to Place First AIM-260 Missile Order Under $500M+ Deal

Canberra is committing nearly $520.1 million to arm the Royal Australian Air Force with the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.

May- 2026 -

25 May

Air

A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft is seen flying above a body of water in the background.

Rojoef Manuel

Australia to Decommission Spartan Airlifters Under New Defense Strategy

Australia will retire its Leonardo C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft and replace them with commercial airframes as part of the country’s latest defense strategy.

Apr- 2026 -

21 April

Asia Pacific

Christine Casimiro

Australia Receives First Next-Gen Jammer Pods for EA-18G Growlers

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken delivery of its first Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) Mid-Band (MB) pods from Raytheon, with more deliveries scheduled to arrive this year.

Feb- 2026 -

19 February

Air

Christine Casimiro

Lockheed to Deliver C-130J Training Devices to Royal Australian Air Force

The US has contracted Lockheed Martin to supply devices and upgrades that will help the Royal Australian Air Force improve how it trains its C-130J pilots and crew.

Jan- 2026 -

23 January

Air

Christine Casimiro

RAAF’s First MC-55A Peregrine EW, ISR Aircraft Finally Lands in Australia

The Royal Australian Air Force’s first of four MC-55A Peregrines has finally landed in Australia, following delays from the original timeline under a 2019 foreign military sales deal.

Dec- 2025 -

12 December

Air

Squadron Leader Andy Brown, a Mission Systems Operator on the Royal Air Force Voyager Multi-Role Tanker Transport conducts air refuelling operations with a United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II during Exercise Pitch Black 2022. *** Local Caption *** Exercise Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Forces largest and most complex Large Force Employment exercise. Pitch Black 2022 is being conducted at RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley from 19 August to 08 September 22. This years exercise will host up to 2500 personnel and around 100 aircraft from 17 participating nations from around the globe. Activities such as Exercise Pitch Black recognise Australias strong relationships and the high value we place on regional security and fostering closer ties throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Exercise Pitch Black features a range of realistic, simulated threats which can be found in a modern battle-space environment and is an opportunity to test and improve our force integration, utilising one of the largest training airspace areas in the world. Exercise Pitch Black aims to further develop offensive counter air, air interdiction and strike, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, as well as foster international co-operation with partner forces.

Rojoef Manuel

Australia to Transform Mission Aircrew Training in $199M Deal

Canberra has invested over $199.8 million in a new Future Air Mission Training System to expand and modernize how the Royal Australian Air Force prepares mission aircrews.

9 December

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

An MQ-28 Ghost Bat flies high above the ocean as it launches a missile, captured mid-flight with the weapon’s exhaust trail glowing against the clear sky

Ethan M. Encarnacion

MQ-28 Ghost Bat Ticks Off Another ‘First,’ Taking Down Target Drone With AMRAAM

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat has achieved a first for autonomous aircraft, completing an air-to-air engagement using an AIM-120 missile.

Nov- 2025 -

14 November

Technology

Two people in a control room operate flight simulators with multiple screens displaying maps and cockpit views, creating a focused and high-tech environment.

Ethan M. Encarnacion

RAAF Training Levels Up With Lockheed’s High-Fidelity Flight Simulator

The next generation of Australian pilots is gearing up to climb into Lockheed's latest flight training device, built to deliver an “authentic cockpit experience.”

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