The first of Australia’s new MC-55A Peregrine intelligence aircraft has arrived at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, further cementing the state’s role as a national hub for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

The aircraft is the first of four MC-55A to be delivered to the Royal Australia Air Force, with the entire fleet to be permanently based at Edinburgh and operated by No. 10 Squadron.

As Australia’s inaugural airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare (ISREW) aircraft, the MC-55A will strengthen Australia’s ability to monitor and protect its strategic interests.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell said the aircraft represents a critical step forward for the nation’s Defence capability and will play a key role in delivering important intelligence 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,” Air Marshal Chappell said.

Modelled on the Gulfstream G550 airframe, with enhancements by US defence company L3 Harris Technologies, the aircraft delivers first-of-type capability to Australia’s Defence Force.

The long-range, surveillance aircraft is designed to deliver multiple sources of intelligence to support Defence operations, helping strengthen Australia’s defence posture.

Squadron Leader Damian Ross, temporary Commanding Officer of No. 10 Squadron, said the arrival of the MC-55A Peregrine is a major milestone for the unit, which operates the Air Force’s electronic warfare (EW) capability.

“Its advanced systems will deliver real-time threat warning and actionable intelligence to support decision-making,” Officer Ross said.

The MC-55A will form a key part of Australia’s broader ISR capability, complementing platforms such as the P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton, both also based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, while also enabling intelligence sharing with allied security partners including the United Kingdom and United States.

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Image: Peregrine Enterprise gathers for a group photo upon its arrival at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Credit: Department of Defence.