The Australian government announced plans on Thursday to buy an unspecified number of Northrop Grumman’s [NOC] Triton long-range unmanned aerial vehicles for maritime patrol, the same aircraft the company is producing for the U.S. Navy. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the Tritons will enhance the Royal Australian Air Force’s ability to patrol the seas in conjunction with the manned Boeing [BA] P-8A Poseidons the government also plans to buy in the years ahead. “This is a very important purchase…