The Australian Government approved project AIR 6000 Phase 2A/2B to acquire 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, along with associated weapons, spares, support equipment, and infrastructure.

Australia’s F-35A fleet has replaced the F/A-18A/B Hornet. The F-35A Lightning II, in concert with the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the E/A-18G Growler, is a potent air combat capability that provides the Royal Australian Air Force with critical air combat power to meet Australia’s needs beyond 2030.

AIR 6000 Phase 2A/2B declared Initial Operating Capability in December 2020 and has delivered all 72 aircraft approved by the Australian Government.

Australia acquired the F-35A as part of an international co-operative program led by the United States and, along with other international partners, contributes to the management and development of the F-35 air system. Under the co-operative agreement, partners bid for and win work on the global F-35 Program on a best-value basis. Australian industry has currently been awarded contracts valued at over AU$5.2 billion, with more than 75 companies involved.

To exploit the full potential of the fifth-generation F-35A, Australia is also investing in advanced mission data reprogramming, information management, training, weapons, and maintenance systems.

The F-35A is supported in Australia by the F-35 Global Support Solution (GSS) and other sovereign support systems. Through the GSS, the project is in the process of providing a regional support capability comprising airframe maintenance, engine maintenance, component repair, and warehousing.

A number of Australian companies have been selected by the US F-35 Joint Program Office to activate F-35 Component Maintenance Repair Overhaul and Upgrade depots for the Asia-Pacific region. Companies are in different stages of activation planning in support of the expected global fleet of over 3,000 F-35 aircraft.

Australia has operated the F-35A since 2014 with initial training and operations at Luke Air Force Base in the US. The first 2 Australian F-35A aircraft landed at RAAF Base Williamtown in December 2018, commencing the transition to an Australian-based operation. All maintenance and pilot training is conducted at Number 2 Operational Conversion Unit following the opening of the Integrated Training Centre at RAAF Williamtown in 2018, with the first RAAF F-35 Pilot Transition Course completed in September 2020. At RAAF Williamtown, Number 3 Squadron and Number 77 Squadron converted to the F-35A in 2018 and 2021 respectively. Number 75 Squadron commenced F-35A operations at RAAF Base Tindal in December 2021.

F-35A Lightning II – Air Force website
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Content is current as at September 2025.