Defence Update

Air Combat capability gap may be unavoidable

The program to replace Australia’s air combat capability with the fifth generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is never far from the spotlight and with the recent delay to the program as part of the 2012-13 federal budget, this has been especially true.

The recent budget announcement delaying the second tranche of 12 Australian aircraft — for a total of 14 — has put the F-35 back on the agenda with the Minister who pledged he would not accept an air combat capability gap seemingly encouraging that very thing.