The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has received the first of two Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) surveillance aircraft at Base Williamtown in Newcastle.

With the delivery of the first Wedgetail aircraft, the RAAF will begin formal training and build operational capability over the next 12 months.

The surveillance craft will enable the Australian Defense Force (ADF) to provide support to its naval fleet and assist in search and rescue and border protection.

It will provide the ADF with the capability to maintain surveillance over a surface area of 400,000km².

Equipped with sophisticated mission systems and an advanced radar, the Wedgetail will be able to cover four million square kilometres over a ten-hour mission.