The delivery of the final nine of Australia's fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft underscores the Albanese Government's commitment to keeping Australia safe by ensuring the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has what it needs to defend our nation.
Defence has undertaken the rapid introduction of this important capability since the first two F-35A Lightning II aircraft arrived in Australia on 10 December 2018.
The F-35A aircraft fleet, in conjunction with the EA-18G Growler and F/A-18F Super Hornets, are the cornerstone of Australia's air defence and strike capability, as outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy. As a multi-role fighter, the F-35A can perform air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, and utilise stealth technology, electronic protection, electronic attack and advanced countermeasures to maximise lethality and survivability.
The arrival of the final nine aircraft also demonstrates an enhancement of the warfighting capability of Australia's F-35A fleet, with these aircraft the first in the fleet to receive Technology Refresh 3, enabling Block 4 upgrades that will support the new and enhanced capabilities required to meet the evolving threats of the future.
This important milestone concludes a year in which accelerated capability delivery for the ADF was pushed to the forefront with the elevation of the Defence Industry portfolio to Cabinet.
ADF capability delivery over the course of calendar year 2024 includes:
- Three new missile types fired from Navy ships for the first time, including the Tomahawk guided missile, Standard Missile 6 and the Naval Strike Missile.
- Construction commenced on the first Hunter Class Frigate;
- Two shipbuilders were selected to progress designs for Australia's general-purpose frigate, a new program announced in 2024 following the recommendations of the Surface Fleet Review;
- The Navy took delivery of the first prototype of Ghost Shark, an autonomous robotic undersea vehicle;
- A ship design was selected for the new Landing Craft Heavy;
- 46 new M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks were delivered for use by the Army;
- 7 new UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters were delivered to Australia from the United States, taking the total of Australian Army Black Hawk helicopters to 10. More helicopters will be delivered in 2025;
- Construction work began on a $200 million deep maintenance facility at RAAF Edinburgh for the ADF's Boeing 737 variants;
- Australia took possession of its first Triton remotely piloted aircraft system, delivered from the United States;
The 2024-25 Budget saw Defence funding increase to $764.6 billion over the decade to support a more capable and self-reliant ADF that can safeguard Australia's security into the future.
This builds on a record of delivery in financial year 2023-24, where Defence's achieved acquisition result was the largest on record at $16.6 billion, with an estimated 54 per cent of funding contributing to Australian industry. Sustainment over the same period was more than $16.4 billion, with an estimated 79 per cent of funding contributing to Australian industry.
The Albanese Government's commitment to Defence is an investment in a future made in Australia - ensuring we keep Australians safe, while delivering jobs and opportunities right across the country for decades to come.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy:
"The Albanese Government is delivering the capabilities the ADF needs to make Australians safer and strengthening our sovereign defence industry to deliver jobs and a future made in Australia.
"It is also important to pay tribute to thousands of uniformed ADF members, members of the Australian public service and workers in the Australian defence industry who all play a vital role in the defence of our nation."
