Global reach

ADF capabilities boost Australian soft power

Much has been written in recent years about the RAAF’s ongoing efforts to replace its F-111 long-range strike and F/A-18 ‘classic’ Hornet multirole fighter fleets with a new air combat aircraft.

Despite the F-35 rightly remaining the ultimate choice to fulfil this role, ongoing project delays have seen the RAAF’s introduction of the F-35 slip some six years, and forced the Howard coalition government to acquire the F/A-18F Super Hornet as a gapfiller capability.