Seeking to strengthen the arsenal of its F/A-18F, EA-18G, and F-35A aircraft, Australia has announced that it will move forward with the purchase of additional AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles from the U.S., investing $650 million in the acquisition. This purchase, which already received authorization from the U.S. government last year, will be carried out through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and will include a batch of over 100 units of the missile.
Regarding the acquisition, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy, stated: “These world-class missiles will enhance the range, survivability, and effectiveness of our Air Force in locating and destroying enemy radars (…) This acquisition is a testament to the strong and enduring alliance that Australia maintains with the United States.”
Highlighting some of the capabilities of the AARGM-ER system acquired by Australia, it is important to note that this is an air-to-ground missile designed to passively detect radio frequency signals emitted by enemy radars in its operational area and subsequently neutralize air defense systems associated with the detected signal. In its “ER” variant, the missile significantly extends the operational range of the original AGM-88E AARGM, primarily due to the incorporation of a shorter and wider-diameter new engine.
Finally, it should be mentioned that the decision to expand the number of AARGM-ER missiles in the country’s inventory comes shortly after the Royal Australian Air Force completed its new fleet of stealth F-35 fighters, totaling 72 aircraft. The last acquired units, which arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales this past December, already feature the problematic TR-3 configuration, representing a significant capability leap for the force. In addition, Canberra maintains a fleet of 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters, complemented by 12 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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