Government pledges $34bn+ to RAAF over next 10 years

It will be achieved largely through the AU$11-13 billion investment in “ongoing projects”, including the new and expanded fleet of C-130J-30 Super Hercules airlift aircraft.

This will be supported by the continued sustainment and maintenance of the C-17A and KC-30A fleets respectively, along with the replacement of the troubled C-27J Spartan fleet of aircraft to allow the nation to continue supporting the “sovereign airlift and surveillance needs of Pacific partners”. Finally, the Government has articulated the continued investment in the nation’s northern air bases to improve their resilience against attack.

The Government will also continue with the fielding of the nation’s airborne reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence fleet with the P-8A Poseidon fleet set to receive its final aircraft this year, alongside the continued deployment of the MC-55A Peregrine aircraft and the MQ-4C Triton fleet as part of AU$4.5-5.5 billion worth of continued investment in these capabilities.

In the air combat domain, the Government has committed AU$11-13 billion over the decade to enhance the Air Force’s fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft, equipping them with a host of new long-range air-to-surface missiles. This will be supported by the continued investment and life extension of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler fleets out to 2040.

The biggest ticket item in the air combat domain is the Government’s AU6.1-8.1 billion investment over the next decade to develop and acquire a suite of advanced, low-cost, expendable and uncrewed air systems to complement the crewed fleet.

This includes investments in the MQ-28A Ghost Bat fleet to “multiply lethality and survivability of the crew fleet through sensing, electronic warfare, strike and missile defence capabilities” as well as “exploring opportunities” to integrate future uncrewed systems into the ADF’s force structure.

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Lessons from both Ukraine and the Middle East have revealed significant shortfalls for Australia’s integrated air and missile defence capabilities, with the Government committing AU$21-30 billion over the decade to as it describes, “deliver a layered, integrated air and missile defence capability to detect, track, counter, withstand and recover from missile attacks”.

This investment includes a AU$14-20 billion investment in resilient and networked sensor capabilities, supporting enhance command and control platforms including the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, as well as critical investment to “maintain the effectiveness” of the E-7A Wedgetail fleet, as well as continue the development and planning of their scheduled replacement alongside international partners.

Building on this sensing network, the Government has committed an “initial” AU$7.2-10 billion over the decade to deliver “active” missile defence capabilities across, air, land and maritime domains, including the continued introduction of the NASAMS capability with Army’s 10th Brigade based in South Australia, this will also support the acquisition and fielding of “dismounted and vehicle-mounted systems to protect deployed forces from low-altitude aerial threats”, including autonomous systems and helicopters.

As a matter of urgency the Government will launch the development of a medium-range, ground based air defence system designed to defeat advanced aircraft and missile threats, with the system to serve as a “resilient, networked capability” and a “core component of the National Integrated Air and Missile Defence System”.

Navy will also see some of this investment, benefitting from the continued acquisition of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block II, Standard Missile 2 and 6 respectively, while the F-35A, F/A-18E/F and MQ-28A fleets will also benefit from advanced integration of airborne detection technologies.