Australia plans to purchase a Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC)-built unmanned aerial vehicle for maritime surveillance operations over the country’s northern region, Flight International reported Thursday.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Thursday the government intends for the aircraft to help protect Australia’s border, assets and marine resources, according to the report.
Andrew McLaughlin writes the Triton system was been selected under the Australian defense force’s Project Air 7000 Phase 1B program.
McLaughlin reports Australia could buy six-to-eight Tritons through a foreign military sales agreement with the U.S. Navy.
Abbott also said the UAV’s ground support components will be based at the Australian air force’s Edinburgh base, Flight International reports.
