Congratulating MBDA and the RAAF, Lord Bach, Minister for Defence Procurement, said "I am delighted to hear that the missile has entered into service with the RAAF. ASRAAM is the most advanced air-to-air missile in the world and I am delighted that the RAAF has decided to use this to enhance the capability of their F/A-18 Hornet aircraft."
"This is an important milestone for ASRAAM and a major breakthrough as this is the first MBDA weapon system to be integrated onto a US combat aircraft".
ASRAAM, a rail launched missile which is compatible with any aircraft currently carrying Sidewinder or AMRAAM, is already in service with the UK's Royal Air Force.
It was developed under a UK MOD contract to equip the RAF's Tornado F3 and its Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft. This weapon system will also be fitted to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the UK RAF and Royal Navy.
Present at the ceremony last Friday (August 20) were the Australian Defence Minister, Robert Hill, and Air Marshall Angus Houston, Chief of the Australian Air Force.