Defence

RAF, RAAF and USAF sign Wedgetail Trilateral Joint Vision Statement

Posted 21 July 2023

A joint vision statement has been signed between the Heads of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF), setting out their mutual intent to work collaboratively on the development of their countries' Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.

Image courtesy RAF

The Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Charles Q. Brown Jr. and the Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Marshal Robert Chipman signed the document at a ceremony held during the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucester.

The trilateral agreement is a commitment by the three nations to work together for mutual benefit through cooperation relating to Wedgetail capability development, evaluation & testing, interoperability, sustainment, operations, training and safety.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff said: "The signing of this this Joint Vision Statement by our three Air Forces is an exciting opportunity that will allow us to work collaboratively to develop our Wedgetail fleets to ensure that they remain ready to provide Airborne Early Warning & Control as the threats and challenges we face change."

General Charles Q. Brown Jr., USAF said: "Collaboration and interoperability are critical to our warfighting advantage, signing this joint vision statement represents another step in the long-term, enduring commitment we have to the future and to the security of our three countries.

“The relationship between the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States is more robust than ever, and we share a mutual understanding of the challenges we face in the air domain and the need to address them."

Air Marshal Robert Chipman, Chief of the RAAF said: "This Joint Vision Statement is a testament to the close relationship shared historically by our three Air Forces. I look forward to continuing our joint interests in this versatile and impressive capability."

The Wedgetail is the most capable and effective airborne early warning and control platform in operation today. The RAF’s three Wedgetail aircraft are currently being modified in the UK, creating over 100 skilled jobs. The aircraft will be based at RAF Lossiemouth.