Avalon 2025: RAAF looks beyond 10 years to when future deliveries may restart
An RAAF F-35A from No 2 Operational Conversion Unit performs a handling display at the air show last week. It is possible more may be purchased. (Photo: Australian DoD)
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has been substantially refreshed in the past two decades including F-35A and F/A-18F fighter aircraft, as well as the addition of transport aircraft such as C-17s, C-130 variants and C-27Js. Additional aircraft may only be a medium-term prospect.
The RAAF will begin to have other types of aircraft, crewed and uncrewed, from the middle of the 2030s which will include autonomous and collaborative platforms with Australia also being informed on Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
While a potential buy of another 28 Lockheed Martin F-35A multirole fighter aircraft remains a possibility, with Australia’s conservative Liberal Party committing to buy a squadron as an election promise, there is little in the integrated investment programme for RAAF aircraft.
From 2035, it is expected the fruits from the development work on the Boeing MQ-28 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) will
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![MBDA backs British startup to continue development on heavy-lift drone]()
MBDA backs British startup to continue development on heavy-lift drone
The investment will bring together the Hybrid Drones and MBDA to enable the former to further develop its Hydra 400 UAV, previously showcased by the British Army.
-
![Just Released: New UAS Technology Report now available to read]()
Just Released: New UAS Technology Report now available to read
Autonomous advantage: Unlocking the potential of VTOL UAS in the battlefield resupply role
-
![Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed]()
Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed
New Delhi had been gearing up to sign a Navy Rafale deal as talks swirled around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
