The Ministry of Defence is considering options to enhance the capability of the Royal Air Force Envoy IV aircraft, including the possible installation of defensive systems.
Responding to a written parliamentary question from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the government is examining potential upgrades to the fleet.
The Envoy IV aircraft are used by the RAF for transport duties, including the movement of ministers, senior military personnel and other officials. Obese-Jecty asked what progress had been made in installing both a defensive aid suite and missile countermeasure systems on the aircraft. Pollard said the department was currently reviewing potential capability enhancements.
“Options to expand the future capability of the Envoy IV fleet are under consideration, including the installation of a defensive aid suite.”
The Envoy IV fleet consists of two Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft introduced into RAF service in 2022 as part of the Command Support Air Transport recapitalisation programme, replacing the BAe 146 fleet. The aircraft initially entered service in a civil configuration and are currently operated on the Civil Aircraft Register.
Under the programme’s next phase, the aircraft are expected to transition to the Military Aircraft Register and receive military modifications intended to enable operations in more demanding environments. These modifications were planned to include systems such as military GPS and a defensive aid suite.
Defensive aid suites typically include systems designed to detect and counter threats such as incoming missiles, using sensors, electronic countermeasures and flare or decoy systems.
The MoD did not provide a timeline for any potential upgrades.
The Union Jack is slight give away.
Not just the 145s, the BAE 125s were cut as well.
The prime minister is regularly seen using the contracted A321, those don’t have any defense unlike the RAF’s A330.
RAAF operates one of its Airbus MRTT tankers in a VIP configuration which means it retains the full defensive aides suite of the tanker fleet including DIRCM laser turret for countering IR missiles, EW suite including radar early warning and jamming plus flares and chaff dispensers. It also retains its secure satellite communications and Link 16 tactical data link and can be air refueled. Not as pretty as the UK version but operationally safer and more versatile.
The RAAF also operates 3 Falcon 7X (slighter longer range than the ‘Envoy’ Falcon 900 LX) and two Boeing BBJ based on 737 Max airframes. They are not fitted with DIRCM but are supposed to have discrete MAWS warning systems and counter measure dispensers (flares and/or chaff).
All very impressive but do Australian politicians travel in environments that require such measures?
VIP fleet is used by government officials, including senior defence officers and diplomats not just politicians.
Currently coming in very handy in the Middle East with visits to the ADF facility at Al Minhad airbase (recently hit by Iranian missile). Any trip to our northern most allies Japan and South Korea transits the SCS and closer allies (Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia) border it.
The PLAAF have a nasty habit of harassing ADF aircraft with dangerous flybys, dropping chaff and flares and illuminating aircraft with targeting radars, using ground based or ship borne lasers to dazzle pilots etc etc. Flying over the Chinese artificial islands in the SCS bristling with SAMs carries a certain risk.
Certainly more risk than a quick trip across the channel to Brussels or the Pond to Washington.