Australia - F/A-18F and EA-18G Sustainment Support

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of F/A-18F and EA-18G Sustainment Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.0 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Australia has requested to buy the following equipment and services related to sustainment of its F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft fleet: sixty (60) Global Lightning – Joint Tactical Terminal – Transceivers (JTT-X); forty (40) Advanced Electronic Warfare systems; and twenty-four (24) Next Generation Electronic Attack Units (NGEAU). The following non-MDE items will also be included: AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loaders; Inline Network Encryptors; AN/ALE-47 electronic warfare countermeasures systems (common carriage); Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) software; aircraft spares and repair parts; other support equipment; software and hardware updates and development; system configuration upgrades; avionics software support; aircraft armament equipment; Foreign Liaison Officer support; technical data; engineering change proposals; engine component improvements; training and training equipment; training aids, devices, and spares; flight test services; transportation costs; system integration and testing; software development and integration; tools and test equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $2.0 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the Western Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the necessary follow-on sustainment support services for its F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft fleet. It will also improve Australia’s capability to support coalition operations and contribute to mutual security goals in the region. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be The Boeing Company, located in Arlington, VA. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require twenty-five U.S. Government personnel and fifteen U.S. contractor representatives to visit Australia on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements, including program and technical reviews.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.