F-35A (Lightning II) in Australian Service

F-35 in Australian Service – The RAAF’s Fifth-Generation Fighter

The introduction of the F-35A Lightning II into Royal Australian Air Force service marked the largest and most technologically advanced acquisition in the history of the RAAF. This episode traces Australia’s path to becoming a fifth-generation air power—covering not just the aircraft itself, but the broader systems, infrastructure, and international cooperation that define its integration.

We explore:
• Australia’s early participation in the Joint Strike Fighter program during its development phase
• The decision to adopt the F-35A variant and the staged acquisition strategy from 2006 to 2014
• Key events including the arrival of the first aircraft in 2018 and early operations out of Luke AFB
• Infrastructure investment at RAAF Base Williamtown, including the Off-Board Information Systems Center
• Mission Data File reprogramming efforts in collaboration with the U.S. and U.K.
• Delivery of 63 aircraft to date, with the remaining 9 to be equipped with the advanced TR-3 package
• The shift in 2024 away from further F-35 acquisitions toward long-range strike and Super Hornet retention

Today, the F-35A forms the core of Australia’s combat air capability, serving in Nos. 3, 75, and 77 Squadrons. It brings stealth, sensor fusion, advanced datalinks, and a global support network—positioning the RAAF to meet regional security demands well into the future.


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Original footage and recreated scenes may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.

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