More than 50 F-35As now in Australian service

A further four Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters have been delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), bringing the total number in service to 54 aircraft out of 72 on order.

The arrival of this latest batch was announced on September 23, with the aircraft being delivered to RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales between August 30 and September 2. The newest aircraft were accepted by No 77 Squadron on behalf of No 81 Wing – a part of the RAAF’s Air Combat Group.

Two of Australia's four latest F-35A Lightning IIs (serials A35-053 and A35-054) taxi in after landing at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, following their delivery flight from Luke AFB, Arizona, during Exercise Lightning Ferry 22-3.
Two of Australia's four latest F-35A Lightning IIs (serials A35-053 and A35-054) taxi in after landing at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, following their delivery flight from Luke AFB, Arizona, during Exercise Lightning Ferry 22-3. Australian Department of Defence/Cpl Craig Barrett

The four F-35As were ferried across the Pacific as part of Exercise Lightning Ferry 22-3 and was the third such delivery to take place this year. The aircraft made the journey from Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, with stopovers at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and Andersen AFB in Guam. They were supported by an Airbus KC-30A (A330-203MRTT) Multi-Role Tanker Transport from the RAAF’s No 33 Squadron and a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III from No 36 Squadron, both of which are based at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

The RAAF anticipates that it will have received its entire complement of F-35As by the end of 2023, which will be employed by three operational units and No 2 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU). The nation’s Lightning II fleet will be operated from RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal in Australia’s Northern Territory.