Australia axes its Reapers in surprise cancellation
RAAF plans to buy a dozen MQ-9Bs came to grief on April Fool’s Day. (GA-ASI)
Reigniting emotions from the cancellation of its submarine programme last year, Australia has now done much the same with its planned Reaper buy from the US.
The 1st of April turned into a rather ominous day for the Australian species of the MQ-9B. Defence officials admitted at a Senate Estimates hearing that this Project Air 7003 programme was being axed.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was expecting to receive 12 MQ-9Bs to be based at Edinburgh near Adelaide, representing the country’s first-ever armed UAVs. The US had approved the $1.65 billion sale on 23 April 2021.
Little justification has been given for the surprise cancellation. However, it is believed to be primarily budgetary in nature.
Andrew Greene, ABC’s defence correspondent, claimed the scrapping was
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Air Warfare
-
![South Korea finalises CH-47F Chinook acquisition]()
South Korea finalises CH-47F Chinook acquisition
South Korea is replacing older CH-47D Chinooks with the latest version of Boeing's heavy-lift helicopter.
-
![Canada eyes up P-8A Poseidon to replace Aurora fleet]()
Canada eyes up P-8A Poseidon to replace Aurora fleet
Canada has submitted a request to purchase P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft to replace CP-140 Auroras but a final decision has not yet been made.
-
![Bell makes move on FLRAA test lab construction despite ongoing Defiant protest]()
Bell makes move on FLRAA test lab construction despite ongoing Defiant protest
Bell Textron began laying the foundations for a new testing facility for its V-280 Valor helicopter despite protest over its US Army Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract win.
