Australia has started looking at what could replace its Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
In the country’s 2026 National Defence Strategy document, Canberra lists nine priorities for the future of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which will be “an air force with long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance [ISR] and an enhanced strike capability.”
One priority is the replacement of the E-7A with a “next-generation aircraft”.
An accompanying document, the Department of Defence’s (DoD’s) Integrated Investment Program, offers more details in a section dedicated to missile defence.
It suggests, however, that replacement of the type is not imminent, and calls for maintaining the effectiveness of the E-7A “and continuing the development and planning for their scheduled replacement, in cooperation with international partners”.
In a table, the DoD indicates that A$5 million ($3.6 million) has been approved for work to replace the E-7A, but that the total cost of the project is envisaged between A$10-15 billion in the “2026-2027 to 2035-2036” timeframe.
The RAAF operates six E-7As, a derivative of the 737NG.
Other operators of the E-7 include Turkey and South Korea, which operate four each. The UK is in the process of obtaining three examples, with the first due to be delivered to the Royal Air Force later this year.
The US Air Force (USAF) has plans to obtain 26 examples to replace its Boeing E-3 Sentries, but this faces political opposition from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which prefers a space-based AEW&C capability. The USAF will, however, receive two prototypes to evaluate the aircraft.
In late 2025, the E-7A lost a competition in South Korea for four additional AEW&C aircraft. Instead of more E-7As, Seoul opted for a solution based on the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet put forward by Elta Systems, Korean Air, and prime contractor L3Harris.
Regarding other ISR platforms, the RAAF will receive its 14th and final Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in 2026. One priority is to integrate the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile with the P-8A.
Moreover, three Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned air vehicles have entered service, with a “fourth and final” aircraft to arrive before the end of the decade.
At the Avalon air show in March 2025, a Northrop executive told FlightGlobal that it intended to deliver the fourth MQ-4C in 2028.
Subscribe to gain access to all news
Already have a subscription? Log in.
Choose your subscription
20% introductory offer
Digital Only -20%
i
Prices are displayed as monthly rates (exc. VAT), but billed annually. Please refer to our subscription terms for more details.
€22,08
€17,67
per month
per user
*
£19.17
£15.33
per month
per user
*
$26.25
$21.00
per month
per user
*