The Royal Australian Air Force has taken delivery of its last nine of 72 F-35A Lightning II combat jets procured as part of a program launched in 2010.
The planes touched down at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales where they will operate side-by-side with the military’s existing EA-18G Growler and F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft as outlined in Canberra’s national defense strategy.
The air force employs the F-35A system in three operational squadrons, including a training group, in New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
The first two aircraft under Australia’s Lightning II acquisition program arrived in the country in 2018, while the first F-35A unit became operational in 2021.
“The delivery of the final F-35A Lightning II aircraft is a practical demonstration of the Air Force’s ability to deliver highly effective air power as part of an integrated and focused force, in line with the National Defence Strategy,” Royal Australian Air Force Chief Air Marshal Stephen Chappell remarked.
“Australians should be proud that our Air Force is flying the most advanced multi-role fighter in the world.
“Australian defence industry has been integral to the successful introduction of the F-35A, with more than 75 Australian companies having shared in over $4.8 billion in contracts to support production, sustainment and follow-on development, including as part of the F-35 global supply chain.”
The F-35A Lightning II Aircraft
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the F-35A measures 51 feet (16 meters) long and has a wingspan of 35 feet (11 meters).
It is equipped with a Pratt & Whitney afterburning turbofan for a top speed of Mach 1.6 (1,227 miles/1,976 kilometers per hour), a range of 1,500 nautical miles (1,726 miles/2,778 kilometers), and an operational altitude of 50,000 feet (15,240 meters).
The jet is commonly armed with multi-domain missiles, guided and unguided explosives, rotary guns, as well as a nuclear bomb.
