On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the Australian Department of Defence announced that two days earlier, a welcome ceremony had taken place at RAAF Base Edinburgh for the first of four new MC-55A Peregrine electronic warfare aircraft, classified as ISREW (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare).
Photos: Australian Department of Defence
The aircraft was ferried from the United States at the end of last week and has formally entered service with the No. 10 Squadron RAAF.
Speaking at the ceremony, Richard Marles, Australia’s Minister for Defence, said:
“The introduction of the MC-55A Peregrine represents a significant step forward in strengthening Australia’s ability to monitor and protect its strategic interests, including key maritime approaches. This capability will integrate seamlessly with allied and partner systems, enabling the Air Force and ADF to share intelligence with security partners like the United Kingdom and United States – reinforcing our collective security and enhancing regional stability.”
Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy MP noted:
“This investment strengthens Australia’s sovereign intelligence, surveillance, and electronic warfare capability and ensures our Defence Force is prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.”
The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell noted:
“The introduction of the MC-55A to Air Force’s fleet will ensure we have a critical enabler for advanced ADF capabilities and, as identified in the 2024 Integrated Investment Program, provide important intelligence information to support ADF missions. The MC-55A Peregrine is more than an aircraft – it is a strategic capability that reinforces our ability to protect national interests in an increasingly complex security environment.”
It is worth recalling that on March 18, 2019, Australia’s then Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne announced that, under the AIR 555 program, the Royal Australian Air Force would receive four MC-55A Peregrine electronic warfare aircraft for a total value equivalent to 2.46 billion AUD, a figure later revised downward to 2.399 billion AUD.
In 2023, flight testing of the first prototype began, and on January 22, 2025, the aircraft was revealed publicly for the first time via photographs published by aviation spotters SR_Planespotter on the social media platform X (see lead image). On August 6, 2025, the United States Department of State approved a potential sale of a Baseline 2 upgrade package for the aircraft, with a maximum value of 404 million USD.
The MC-55A Peregrine is based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet airframe. Within No. 10 Squadron RAAF, the aircraft will complement the fleet of 12 EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, enhancing capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, and electronic reconnaissance and warfare (AISREW) to support operations at sea, in the air, and on land.
They will also support operations by the F-35A Lightning II, E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, as well as the latest long-endurance autonomous unmanned systems, the MQ-4C Triton.
The AIR 555 program was formally launched in August 2016 and initially envisaged the acquisition of two aircraft. However, on June 26, 2017, the United States Department of State approved the export of up to five Gulfstream G550 aircraft with a maximum value of 1.3 billion USD. The airframe modifications and installation of specialized electronic warfare, communications, and self-protection systems were to be carried out by L3Harris Technologies (then L3 Communication Systems) at its facilities in Greenville. Ultimately, the decision was made to procure four aircraft.
The Peregrine has landed! 🦅
Named after one of the best precision hunters in the world – the MC-55A Peregrine leads the way.
Our first Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare aircraft – it’ll help our @AusAirForce see more and know more. pic.twitter.com/oMl2bblqba
— Pat Conroy MP (@PatConroy1) January 24, 2026
The @AusAirForce has officially welcomed the first MC-55A Peregrine to Australia, a first-of-type airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare (ISREW) platform. The Peregrine marks a major milestone in strengthening the nation’s sovereign defence… pic.twitter.com/6G4b8qAJYs
— Defence Australia (@DefenceAust) January 26, 2026
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