5th Generation Capability for Australia
The F-35 Lightning II is the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) premier 5th Generation fighter that will meet Australia’s requirements to defeat emerging threats for decades to come. Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the RAAF as the industry leader and Original Equipment Manufacturer in Australia, providing unparalleled experience, expertise and success in leading the design, production and sustainment of the F-35 Lightning II. Through our longstanding partnership with the RAAF, Lockheed Martin is delivering the F-35 production and sustainment capability in Australia, creating thousands of jobs for Australian industry.
Program Stats
The Royal Australian Air Force will operate the F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing variant. Australia’s program of record is for 100 F-35A aircraft.
Industrial Partnerships
As a programme partner, Australian businesses are supplying components for the entire F-35 fleet, not just Australian aircraft. Every F-35 built contains some Australian parts and components.
In total, more than 70 Australian companies have been awarded contracts for the development, production and sustainment of the F-35, valued at AU$3 billion. These contracts will provide more than 3,000 high-tech manufacturing jobs for Australian industry.
The high-tech industry jobs contribute to economic growth in cities around Australia, setting up the industrial base with the technology transfer required to remain competitive in the global aerospace marketplace well into the future. Learn more about the people working on the F-35 for Australia.
Base Locations
The RAAF currently operates F-35As out of RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, and RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory.
Program Milestones
- 2014: Australia’s first F-35, known as AU-1 is delivered from Fort Worth, TX
- 2015: First Australian pilot goes through F-35 training at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
- 2017: F-35 makes Australian public debut at Avalon Airshow
- 2018: F-35 Training Center is stood up at RAAF Williamtown
- 2018: First aircraft arrives for permanent basing at RAAF Williamtown
- 2020: Australia declares IOC
- 2021: Establishment of Williamtown Depot capability
- 2021: First aircraft arrives for permanent basing at RAAF Base Tindal
- 2023: Asia-Pacific Regional Warehouse IOC
- 2023: Australia declares Full Operational Capability