Royal Australian Air Force – The Defense Post

Apr- 2026 -

21 April

Air

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

Americas

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

Asia Pacific

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.”

5 November

Asia Pacific

Inder Singh Bisht

Boeing Receives Australia’s P-8A Poseidon Anti-Sub Aircraft for Major Upgrades

Boeing has received the first Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon for Increment 3 Block 2 upgrades.

Sep- 2025 -

11 September

Air

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Dives Into Collaborative Combat Trials

In partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force, Boeing has put the MQ-28 Ghost Bat to the test, proving its operational viability.

Aug- 2025 -

11 August

Air

Inder Singh Bisht

US Approves Upgrade Package for Australia’s ISREW Aircraft

The US State Department has approved a baseline 2 upgrade for Australia’s MC-55A intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare aircraft.

Jun- 2025 -

25 June

Air