RAF boss hopes for a return to a five-aircraft E-7 buy
An Australian RAAF E-7 Wedgetail. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
While the RAF may hope to return to its original plan for a five-strong E-7 AEW fleet, the service will still have to wait until 2024 to receive its first aircraft.
Speaking to MPs, the head of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Chief of the Air Staff ACM Sir Mike Wigston, expressed an ambition to increase the service's scaled-back purchase of three Boeing E-7 Wedgetails.
Initially, the RAF planned to buy five of the surveillance aircraft; however, this number was reduced to three.
Speaking to Parliament’s Defence Committee on 1 February, Wigston said: ‘Our original analysis identified that the number to give our political decision-makers choice, to bring resilience to the force and to add the value you talk about from this phenomenal platform, which really multiplies the force, was
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![December Drone Digest: Germany, Australia and US champion indigenous UAV production]()
December Drone Digest: Germany, Australia and US champion indigenous UAV production
One of the key trends seen in December has been the rise in indigenous investment within the UAV market, particularly across certain countries, with Germany, Australia and the US focusing on their commitments to sovereign development.
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg]()
Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg
As Europe ramps up defence investment in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the spotlight is turning to how nations sustain their growing fleets.
