Air Combat Capability:

Australia requires a new high-performance aircraft to provide the basis for the maintenance of our critical air-combat edge well into the 21st century.

From 2012, up to 100 new aircraft will replace our existing F/A-18 and F-111 aircraft.

The Government has decided that the United States' Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is the aircraft most likely to satisfy Australia's needs.

JSF - A New Class of Aircraft

The Joint Strike Fighter is a new class of combat aircraft, designed from the outset with affordable stealth in mind. It is based on highly advanced systems and will be compatible with other future Australian capabilities such as Airborne Early Warning and Control systems.

The JSF performance specifications are well suited to Australia's operational requirements. In addition, our operation of a common aircraft type would enhance interoperability with the US.

Getting in on the Ground Floor

Joining the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the JSF project, while not a commitment to buy the aircraft, will provide financial and industrial benefits to Australia. It will also facilitate access to more detailed capability data.

The aircraft has been developed using a Cost as an Independent Variable (CAIV) approach to achieve design goals of affordability, lethality, survivability, and supportability.

The aim has been to avoid the spiraling acquisition and support costs seen in other advanced aircraft programs. JSF will have reduced acquisition and support costs as a result of:

• The benefits of improved systems integration in the aircraft;
• The priority placed on higher levels of systems reliability;
• One/two level repair policy with significantly less fixed overhead; and
• Open system avionics architecture that will enable less expensive hardware upgrades.

Capability Benefits

As a Level 3 SDD partner, Australia will be an active participant in the JSF Program Office.

This will allow privileged insight into, and contribution towards, the aircraft's development and provide early awareness of its ability to meet Australian cost, schedule and capability requirements.

Australia will also be able to influence the availability of aircraft to meet preferred delivery schedules.

Financial Benefits

Should Australia choose to acquire the JSF, over A$600 million in net direct financial benefits are expected to accrue to Defence.

This will comprise waiver of Foreign Military Sales charges, reduction in Non-Recurring Costs and royalties from future sales of JSF to non-SDD partner nations