Article Posted on : - Oct 19, 2011

The RAAF's Super Hornet fighters. A file photo

CANBERRA (BNS): The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will receive the final four Super Hornet jets from the US on Friday which will form two complete squadrons of 24 fighters in its fleet.

The fighters will arrive at RAAF Base Amberley on October 21, Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith announced on Tuesday.

The occasion will be marked by a flight of up to 20 Super Hornets in formation over northern NSW and south east Queensland.

The RAAF is acquiring the F/A-18F Super Hornets from the US under a $6 billion deal signed in March 2007.

The 24 aircraft have been progressively delivered since the first tranche of Super Hornets arrived at RAAF Base Amberley in March 2010. Twelve of these fighters will be converted into electronic attack aircraft.

The new multi-role fighters with stealth power and other advanced features are replacing the RAAF's aging F-111 jets.