Issue 259: A New Era

Exploring the RAAF air combat strategy

Australia’s air combat fleet is set for generational change in the next few years with the impending retirement of the F-111 and the upgraded ‘classic’ F/A-18A/B Hornets well into their last decade of service.

Indeed the process is well underway already with the RAAF’s first of 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets now less than six months away from first flight, while the government is due to soon confirm its selection of the Lockheed Martin F-35A JSF to fulfil the RAAF’s air combat needs from next decade.