Ed Liew 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

Australia is retiring its entire fleet of 10 C-27J Spartans after just 11 years in service. The RAAF announced it as part of the new 2026 National Defence Strategy... the planes will be replaced by commercial aircraft for moving people and cargo around the Pacific. No specific type picked yet, though something like an ATR 72 has been floated. Some of the tactical stuff will shift over to the bigger C-130J Hercules fleet, which Australia is expanding. The Spartans had ongoing headaches with maintenance, spare parts, availability rates, and high costs (partly tied to the U.S. FMS process). They never quite hit the mark for battlefield airlift the way they were originally intended. On the flip side, they were really good at humanitarian work... landing on short or rough strips during bushfires and floods where bigger planes couldn’t go. It’s basically a rethink: instead of one versatile but pricey platform, split the jobs between heavy military transports and cheaper civilian options for routine regional support. Makes sense on paper for saving money, but it’s a shame to see them go so soon.

18 Apr – China Coast Guard 5403 conducting intrusive patrols inside of Malaysia's EEZ near Beting Pattingi Ali. TLDM operated auxiliary ship, KA Bunga Mas Lima is on patrol in the same area. Luconia Shoals, SCS 18th April 2026 SC - AIS

TUDM – Fleet Status March 2026 List updated to 6 March for Combat and Maritime Patrol aircraft. For Transport and Tanker AC, list updated to 17 March. The Hawk, Anka and Helos are excluded. Disclaimer: All information gathered from open sources primarily socmed and spotters.