Australian defence chiefs have told a hearing of the Senate’s
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation committee that
Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s coalition government is considering
whether to acquire a number of short take-off and vertical
landing Lockheed Martin F-35Bs.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation committee that
Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s coalition government is considering
whether to acquire a number of short take-off and vertical
landing Lockheed Martin F-35Bs.
Canberra confirmed in April it will acquire 58 F-35A Lightning
IIs for the Royal Australian Air Force under Project Air 6000
Phase 2A/2B, adding to the 14 already on order to replace
the RAAF's BoeingF/A-18A/B "classic" Hornet fleet.
IIs for the Royal Australian Air Force under Project Air 6000
Phase 2A/2B, adding to the 14 already on order to replace
the RAAF's BoeingF/A-18A/B "classic" Hornet fleet.
Australia has long-stated a requirement for 100 air combat
aircraft. However, because it acquired 24 F/A-18F Super
Hornets in 2009-2010 as a bridging capability between the
retirement of the General Dynamics F-111C and the
introduction of the F-35A, it has deferred a decision on Phase
2C of the project until the early- to mid-2020s.
aircraft. However, because it acquired 24 F/A-18F Super
Hornets in 2009-2010 as a bridging capability between the
retirement of the General Dynamics F-111C and the
introduction of the F-35A, it has deferred a decision on Phase
2C of the project until the early- to mid-2020s.
The F-35B proposal is being pushed by Abbott’s office, and
if acquired the aircraft would be fielded from the Royal
Australian Navy’s two new LHD-class vessels – the first
of which is to be commissioned as HMAS Canberra later this year.
if acquired the aircraft would be fielded from the Royal
Australian Navy’s two new LHD-class vessels – the first
of which is to be commissioned as HMAS Canberra later this year.
US Marine Corps
“There has been a White Paper evolving for a while,” chief of the
defence force Gen David Hurley said in response to opposition
defence spokesman Senator Stephen Conroy. “The prime minister
has a view about a capability that he thinks might be relevant to
the ADF [Australian Defence Force]. He has asked us to look at
that.
defence force Gen David Hurley said in response to opposition
defence spokesman Senator Stephen Conroy. “The prime minister
has a view about a capability that he thinks might be relevant to
the ADF [Australian Defence Force]. He has asked us to look at
that.
"We have a process in place at the moment that depending
where we come out on that process, we would then go into all of
those technical decisions about the nature of ship and force
structure implications for the ADF.”
where we come out on that process, we would then go into all of
those technical decisions about the nature of ship and force
structure implications for the ADF.”
The two 27,000t LHDs currently under construction in Melbourne,
Victoria are based on Spain’s King Juan Carlos 1 (L-61) vessel,
built by Navantia. When ordered, the LHDs were intended for
amphibious and regional humanitarian assistance missions. T
hey have capacity for a battalion of troops, up to 100 vehicles,
four large amphibious watercraft and a dozen or more
helicopters to be embarked for such missions.
Victoria are based on Spain’s King Juan Carlos 1 (L-61) vessel,
built by Navantia. When ordered, the LHDs were intended for
amphibious and regional humanitarian assistance missions. T
hey have capacity for a battalion of troops, up to 100 vehicles,
four large amphibious watercraft and a dozen or more
helicopters to be embarked for such missions.
There has long been an intention to conduct operational ‘cross-
decking’ operations with US Marine Corps and UK Royal Navy fixed
and rotary-wing aircraft. However, in lieu of a planned Force
Posture Review and new defence White Paper being finalised
for release in early 2015, there are currently no guiding
policy documents or stated strategic imperatives for Australia to
pursue the option of acquiring F-35Bs and to operate these vessels
as fixed wing aircraft carriers.
decking’ operations with US Marine Corps and UK Royal Navy fixed
and rotary-wing aircraft. However, in lieu of a planned Force
Posture Review and new defence White Paper being finalised
for release in early 2015, there are currently no guiding
policy documents or stated strategic imperatives for Australia to
pursue the option of acquiring F-35Bs and to operate these vessels
as fixed wing aircraft carriers.
HMAS Canberra will be followed by HMAS Adelaide in 2016.
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