Australian F/A-18s are F/A-18A and B variants. They equip ASRAAM.
Canadian CF-18s are pretty much identical to A and B hornets, but use AIM-9s and have a few cosmetic changes.
They would have the sniper pod, Link 16 datalink, AIM-7M sparrow, JHMCS and some advanced air to ground weapons like JDAM, CBU, Snakeyes, Mavericks, Anti ship missiles, and of course, AIM-120 AMRAAM. I believe the F-18A and B can use AIM-120C-5s so anything below that will be compatible, such as A/B variants.
The big takeaway however, is that largely - F/A-18A/B and F-16C are comparable platforms. They’re largely the same speed. The F/A-18s are FAR heavier, but carry much more armament. The -18s carry the AIM-7M. The radar should be largely similar too. Unsure on chaff and flare count, their ability to dogfight is largely the same with -16 winning.
The hornet wouldn’t add to power creep. The Hornet would bring UK up to pace with the big nations, but not overdo it and introduce some crazy new thing.
There was no F18 Hornet in the drains of the equipment. Therefore, it is canceled. I compared it with a reliable source that was leaking information to us.
