Royal Australian Air Force - Future Procurement

Future Procurement

This list includes aircraft on order or a requirement which has been identified:

• Up to 100 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (CTOL variant) — are scheduled to be delivered from 2014. In a first stage not fewer than 72 aircraft will be acquired to equip three operational squadrons. The remaining aircraft will be acquired in conjunction with the withdrawal of the F/A-18F Super Hornets after 2020 to ensure no gap in Australia's overall air combat capability occurs. On 25 November 2009, Australia committed to placing a first order for 14 aircraft at a cost of A$3.2 billion with deliveries to begin in 2014. In May 2012, the decision to purchase 12 F-35s from the initial 14 order was deferred until 2014 as part of wider ADF procurement deferments in order to balance the Federal Government budget.
• Eight maritime patrol aircraft to replace Lockheed AP-3C Orions. Australia is participating in the development of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon to fill this role, but has not committed to purchase the aircraft.
• Seven High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to expand the surveillance of Australia's maritime approaches.
• Ten C-27J medium transports to be delivered in 2015.
• A sixth C-17 Globemaster air-lifter is on order via the US Foreign Military Sales for A$280m.
• Replacement aircraft for PC-9 training aircraft under Project AIR 5428, with a decision due between 2012–2015. Contenders include the Pilatus PC-21.