McCaskill: Approved Sale of Super Hornets & Growlers 'a good deal for global security'

Press Release

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after the Pentagon approved the sale of 12 Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters and 12 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets to Australia:

"While we watch other military aircraft suffer setbacks, the Super Hornet and Growler have both been tested in combat-and they remain some of the most reliable and cost-effective aircraft in the world. There's no question they're a great match for the military needs of our strategic ally, Australia, and such a sale would be a good deal for global security."

McCaskill raised the issue of the pending sale to Australia in her recent meeting with now-Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, highlighting the possible benefits to both the United States and Australia.

Last year, McCaskill helped shape the National Defense Authorization Bill to include funding for advance procurement for the F-18 and Growler to prepare for the likelihood that more of the aircraft will be needed due to massive delays and cost overruns in the F-35 program.

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