Officials say Australia has become the first country other than the United States to buy Boeing EA-18G Growler advanced electronic warfare technology.
Defense Minister Stephen Smith said Thursday the Australian air force will equip 12 of Australia's F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighters with Growler radar-jamming equipment and other gear to knock out a wide array of electronic devices. The upgrade starting in 2018 will cost $1.5 billion.
The sharing of rare U.S. military technology now in service with the U.S. Navy comes as the United States deepens its defense ties with Australia and juggles its might in the Asia-Pacific region in response to the rise of China.
