RAAF to Lease Three Dassault 7X for VVIP Mission

11 April 2019

Dassault Falcon 7X VVIP aircraft (photo : Julien-Chierici)

The Royal Australian Air Force will lease three Dassault 7X business jets as VVIP transports.

“Following a review, Defence will lease three new Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft to replace the three existing Bombardier CL604 Challengers,” says the Australian Department of Defence.

“The Falcon will have reduced operating costs, larger passenger load, modern communication capability and increased range and endurance. The Challengers are being replaced at a natural point in their aging and maintenance cycle.”

The department did not state the lessor that will supply the three jets.

FlightGlobal understands that the three Falcon 7Xs will enter service by the third quarter of 2019, and operate under the existing budget for the special purpose fleet.

Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer shows that the existing fleet of Challenger 604s has an average age of 16.6 years, and that they are leased from an undisclosed party.

The Falcon 7X is powered by three Pratt & Whitney PW307A engines, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 70,000lb. The RAAF’s Challenger 604s have a MTOW of 48,200lb, and have served with 34 sqn since 2003.

(FlightGlobal)