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* A fifth [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|C-17 Globemaster]] airlifter is being sought<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/03/01/353778/avalon-australia-eyes-fifth-c-17.html AVALON: Australia eyes fifth C-17], ''Flight International'', 1 March 2011.</ref> instead of the earlier planned purchase of two additional [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J Super Hercules]] that were intended to replace retiring C-130Hs.<ref>[http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/03/04/Australia-set-to-upgrade-C130J-electronics/UPI-91351267700400/ Australia set to upgrade C130J electronics], UPI, March 2010</ref>
* Replacement aircraft for PC-9 training aircraft under Project AIR 5428, with a decision due between 2012–2015. Contenders include the [[Pilatus PC-21]].<ref>Pittaway 2010, p. 20.</ref>
===Procurement review===
The [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] government made a pledge to review the procurement of both the [[F-35 Lightning II|Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]] and the F/A-18F Super Hornet as part of a review of overall defence procurement. The then defence minister [[Joel Fitzgibbon]] made clear that "no option would be ruled out". This includes the possibility of purchasing the [[F-22 Raptor|Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/10/220724/australia-to-weigh-lockheed-martin-f-22-against-russian-fighters.htm| title=Australia to weigh Lockheed Martin F-22 against Russian fighters| first=Siva| last=Govindasamy| publisher=Flightglobal| date=10 January 2008| accessdate=28 February 2008}}</ref> On 17 March 2008 Fitzgibbon confirmed that Australia would purchase 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.janes.com/news/defence/air/jdw/jdw080318_1_n.shtml| title=Australian government commits to Super Hornet acquisition| first=Julian| last=Kerr| publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]]| date=18 March 2008| accessdate=1 April 2008}}</ref>
However, the Howard government ruled out purchase of the F-22, on the grounds that it is unlikely to be released for export, and does not have sufficient ground/maritime strike capacity. This assessment was supported by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a non-partisan, government-funded think-tank, which claimed that the F-22 "has insufficient multi-role capability at too high a price."
The US Congress upheld the ban on F-22 Raptor foreign sales during a joint conference on 27 September 2006. After talks in Washington in December 2006, the US DoD reported the F-22 would not be available for foreign sale.
Following the victory of the Australian Labor Party in the 2007 national election, the new government ordered a review of plans to procure the F-35 Lightning II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. This review will include an evaluation of the F-22's suitability for Australia; moreover, Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has stated: "I intend to pursue American politicians for access to the Raptor". In February 2008, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he had no objection to sale of the Raptor to Australia, but Congress would have to change the law.
In August 2008 reports in the press indicated that the RAAF is considering to purchase [[EA-18G Growler|Boeing EA-18G Growler]] electronic warfare aircraft to complement the new F model purchases. Up to 12 Growlers are being considered. In February 2009 it was announced by the Australian Defence Minister that half of the proposed 24 [[F/A-18F Super Hornet|Boeing F/A-18F]]s being built for Australia, 12 will be additionally "wired" to provide the capability of being readily converted to electronic warfare/support aircraft, similar to EA-18G standard, without the costs involved with purchasing and maintaining a dedicated fleet of electronic warfare aircraft.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/10/220724/australia-to-weigh-lockheed-martin-f-22-against-russian-fighters.htm| title=Australia to wire F/A-18Fs for Growler upgrade| first=Siva| last=Govindasamy| publisher=Flightglobal| date=27 February 2009| accessdate=28 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/docs/defence_white_paper_2009.pdf| title=Australian Government Defence White Paper 2009| publisher=[[Department of Defence (Australia)|Australian Department of Defence]]| format=pdf| at=p. 79, 9.64| date=2 May 2009| accessdate=25 February 2010}}</ref>
==Gallery of RAAF aircraft==
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