The first two Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) are now in Australia and will be ready for action by 2020.
The two F-35s flown by RAAF officers landed at RAAF Base Williamtown north of Sydney on December 10. The RAAF has 72 F-35As on order. It is expected to acquire a further 28 aircraft over the next decade.
Australian media, which widely covered the arrival of the F-35s, said the stealth fighters were flown on the final leg of the journey by the Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron, Wing Commander Darren Clare, and Squadron Leader Red Borrman. No. 3 Squadron is the first Australian F-35 squadron. Their stealth jets are designed A35-009 and A35-0010.
Most of Australia's fleet of F-35As will be based at RAAF Base Williamtown.
A formal welcoming ceremony at Williamtown was attended by political and military dignitaries. Among these people were Australia Minister for Defense Christopher Pyne; Minister for Defence Industry Steve Ciobo; Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson and Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Marshal "Leo" Davies.
The arrival of the F-35s marks a very important day for the Australian Defense Force and particularly the Royal Australian Air Force, said Air Marshal Davies.
He said the acquisition of the F-35 is the most significant Royal Australian Air Force acquisition in its 97-year history. He noted the two aircraft that landed "mark the latest step in an exciting journey for Air Force, which has been over 16 years in the making."
Davies also quoted his predecessor in, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, when he said the Joint Strike Fighter "replaces nothing but changes everything. It requires a new way of thinking and a new way of operating."
The 100 F-35As will replace 71 aging Boeing F/A-18A/B Hornet air superiority fighters that entered service with the RAAF in 1985. In 2002, Australia became a Tier 3 partner in the international Joint Strike Fighter program.
Air Marshal Davies described the F-35 as not just a 5th generation fighter with speed and agility and advanced information systems. He also sees the F-35 as a catalyst for transforming the RAAF into a 5th generation fighting force.
He pointed out the integrated Australian Defense Force is greater than the sum of its parts and the F-35 has been a driver for this change.
Payne described the F-35 program as the largest air force acquisition project in Australia's history. He said the government is investing over US$12.3 billion to acquire at least 72 F-35s. He noted the Joint Strike Fighter is a key part of the government's $200 billion buildups in defense capability.
