Australia completes F-35A deliveries
On 18 December 2024, the last three Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), of 72 originally ordered, were delivered to RAAF Williamtown. Australia became the second F-35 operator (after the Republic of Korea) to have completed its entire initial F-35 order. The final aircraft flew from Nellis Air Force Base, via Hawaii, supported by a No.33 Squadron Airbus KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, and a No.36 Squadron C-17A Globemaster. The three aircraft, serials A35-068, -069 and -071, all wore the insignia of No.75 Squadron, and were flown by Squadron Leader James Wheeler; Executive Officer No.3 Squadron, with Squadron Leader Timothy Venz and Flight Lieutenant Jaisal Pal.
Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, the RAAF Chief of the Air Staff commented that: “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.”
The final nine aircraft (A35-064 through A35-072) were the first to receive the Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3) modification, which will enable the subsequent Block 4 upgrade. The TR-3 upgrade will increase processing power 37 times and boost computer memory by 20 times compared to the F-35’s previous iteration. Block 4 will boost F-35 sensor and EW capabilities, and will expand weapons options.
The last Aussie Lightning IIs were caught up in the delivery freeze while TR-3 issues and problems were resolved. Australia had hoped to receive the aircraft by the end of 2023, but the US Department of Defense paused the acceptance of all new F-35s from Lockheed Martin in July 2023 and Australia’s final deliveries were postponed by nearly a year.
When deliveries resumed in July 2024, TR-3 aircraft were delivered with the training-capable 40P01 software build, and will not be fully combat capable until the second 40P02 software release is issued.
Australia selected the F-35A to meet its AIR 6000 Phase 2A/2B requirement, ordering 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft to equip three frontline squadrons, No.s 3, 75 and 77 Squadrons and one training unit, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit. All but No.75 were to be based at RAAF Williamtown in New South Wales, with No.75 Squadron being based at RAAF Tindal, Northern Territories.
The first eight RAAF aircraft were initially allocated to the international Pilot Training Centre (PTC), part of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Wing, at Luke AFB. Some 21 instructor pilots graduated to begin the first Australia-based operational conversion course.
Two F-35As were unveiled to the Australian public at the Avalon Airshow on 3 March 2017, but the first Australian F-35A aircraft to be permanently based in ‘Oz’ landed at RAAF Base Williamtown in December 2018, where an Integrated Training Centre had just stood up. The first RAAF F-35 Pilot Transition Course conducted by No.2 Operational Conversion Unit (2 OCU) was completed in September 2020.
The RAAF force was declared ready to deploy on operations in 2021, with 41 fully-trained pilots and 26 aircraft accepted, of which 17 were operating with No.3 Squadron and No.2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown. No.75 Squadron began F-35A operations at RAAF Base Tindal in December 2021.
The US delivery pause led to the RAAF F-35As not achieving Final Operational Capability (FOC) as planned. This had been scheduled for December 2023, but the FOC decision is now expected be made in the first quarter of 2025. The RAAF will still be the second operator to achieve FOC, following the RNLAF, which declared FOC in September. At one time, Australia had been expected to acquire an additional squadron of F-35As taking the total to 100 F-35A aircraft, but Australia’s 2024 National Defence Strategy opted to extend the life of the F/A-18F Super Hornet through to the 2040s.
