The carrier returns?

The practicalities of putting the F-35B on the RAN’s LHDs

The prospect of the ADF acquiring a naval air combat capability has been re-floated in recent times, most notably by opposition Defence spokesman Senator David Johnston.

In an October 2012 speech to an Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) audience, Senator Johnston described the RAN’s two new Project JP 2048 Phase 4 Landing Helicopter Docks (LHD) currently under construction at BAE Systems’ Williamstown yard in Melbourne and at Navantia in Spain as “STOVL capable,” perhaps inferring this is a capability option a future coalition government may consider.

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