Australia boosts air defense

CANBERRA: Australia said yesterday it had sought approval from the United States to buy electronic-warfare aircraft to carry out radar-jamming missions, which would make it the only military in Asia with such a capability.

The close US ally has already embarked on a A$60 billion ($52 billion) modernization, also including advanced destroyers, amphibious assault carriers, battle tanks, attack helicopters and cruise missiles.

In a purchase which would make Australia only the second Western nation to use dedicated electronic warfare aircraft, Canberra has sought approval to buy Boeing EA-18G Growlers, said a spokesman for Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon.