The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) covering training for Australia’s F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler crews, with the combined case now valued at an estimated $250 million.
The original case, likely established around the time of Australia’s 2012–2013 Growler procurement decision, was worth $18 million. Because that figure fell below the $100 million congressional notification threshold that applies to Australian defense service purchases, though, it was never publicly disclosed.
The case grew by $39 million in 2015, reaching $67 million – still below the threshold. A further $72 million amendment in 2018 brought the total to $142 million, crossing the line for the first time. However, the notification was never filed, an omission the US State Department puts down to a technical error that went undetected until Canberra requested the latest amendment.
The new submission, the first time any element of the training arrangement has entered the public record, covers the case in full.
What the training covers
The case funds classified and unclassified aircrew and maintenance training, protective personnel equipment, US Government and contractor technical and logistics support, plus a range of manuals, publications, and training documentation.
According to the US State Department, it would strengthen Australia’s ability to meet current and future threats and improve interoperability with the US and allied forces. Instruction on the two types is already a fixture of the relationship, with Raytheon delivering Super Hornet and Growler training services from RAAF Base Amberley under a contract awarded in 2022.
Australia’s Growler fleet
The Royal Australian Air Force operates 24 F/A-18F Super Hornet fighters and 12 EA-18G Growler jets, the latter the only examples of the electronic attack jet in service outside of the US Navy. The Growlers are flown by No. 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, and Australian aircrew complete their Growler conversion in the United States.
The case is separate from a larger $2 billion sustainment package for the same two fleets that the State Department cleared in June 2025.