Australia never officially had an order for additional 28 aircraft. The original order was for 72 f35s which is still being fulfilled. It was planned that an additional 28 would be acquired to replace the super hornets but with the NGAD coming online within the next decade, and if the US is willing to export it to allies it would make sense for Australia to wait for a potential 6th generation capability, which is why there will be an open tender for the super hornet replacement.

Because the Growler will be in operation into the foreseeable future. It makes sense to continue using the 24 F Models and look towards what comes next.

interesting note, the RAAF is moving somewhat faster than USAF in terms of adopting some new tech items, namely MQ-28 Ghost Bat and E-7.

great video but there where a few inaccuracies that i picked up the RAAF operates three combat f-35 sqns being no.3sqn no.75 sqn and no.77 sqn(which is probably were you got the 3 squadrons amount from) but they also have one conversion squadron being 2 OCU the RAAF only has ever had one super hornet squadron you might be getting confused with the classic hornets which where replaced by the f-35s in the aforementioned 3 squadrons another reason for keeping the super hornets is there parts commonality with the Growlers operated by the RAAF Other then that it was a great video thanks for doing one on australia

The F/A-18 Super Hornet is the most multirole and reliable Fighter ever built. They made a great decision keeping them around to compliment their current F-35s.

This is not a big surprise here in Australian. The RAAF had indicated very early on in the acquisition process of the F35 that a mix of F35 and super Hornets 🐝 were the likely and preferred balance for the needs of the RAAF . Also they were ordering each block of F35 one block at a time.

The F-111 was a brilliant aircraft, it was so sad to see that beauty retired.

Australia’s leadership on the E-7 Wedgetail program is impressive. They basically owned it from the beginning. Far superior to the E-3. Thanks for working out all for the rest of us.

The order wasn't cancelled because it was never actually an order, it was an option but they never ordered them, like you said, the super hornet still has 15+ years of service life so no reason to replace them

The issue of cost has come into play. F-35 are costly to by and very costly to operate and maintain. Most of the F-35 delivered to Australia arrived with 26+ unresolved issues during manufacture most still not resolved fully. Now there are additional upgrades that further increase the operational costs. It’s getting to the point pilots will spend more time in training simulators than actual airtime.

Not a bad choice by the Aussies, great to see the Hornet will be around for a few years yet 💪

Australia has very unique needs. Given its geographic location, likely enemies are quite far away. The B-21 Raider could not only take over a strike role from the old long range F-111s, (since the F-18 never had the same range), but it could do so without relying so heavily on tankers. I hope Australia surprises everyone and gets B-21. The old restrictions on stealth technology from the F-22 days should end. Our allies need stealth. And it isn't like China hasn't made every effort to steal our stealth technology by hitting our own contractors directly with spies and hackers. Many of these efforts were quite successful.

The RAAF has 36 Super Hornet airframes in service with 24 F/A-18F's and 12 E/A-18G's, keeping the F/A-18F's in service makes sense given the commonality between these two aircraft, the F/A-18F will also more than likely be used as a control platform for the MQ-28 Ghost Bats, having a two man crew with a WSO onboard would certainly be a better idea than piling that workload onto the single pilot of an F-35A.

The creator failed to mention the Super Hornet is being fitted out to deliver the JASSM & LASSM cruise missiles and are a new addition to the RAAF arsenal. These are 500 - 1000km range missiles. You don't need a stealth plane to deliver a long range cruise missile. The Super Hornet is very suited to this role and linked with the Growlers Oz also deploys it is a very capable set of platforms and munitions for long range land and sea strike. The F-35 on the other hand fires the shorter range Kongsberg Naval Strike anti ship missile.

Maybe the RAAF is also waiting for the Tempest 6th gen fighter?

The Super Hornets/Growlers are maybe 12 years old- they are not old aircraft. Wise to upgrade them and use in conjunction with the F-35. In addition, Japan has some F-35A's, but the numbers quoted are the entire order which will not be fulfilled for many years.

Australia, the worlds biggest aircraft carrier. If something does kick off in the indo-pacific im sure there will be many nations using Australia as a base of operations.

The UK, Japan and Italy are already developing a next generation fighter called Tempest. Due to be available in the mid 2030's.

Australia is working on the loyal wingman which will make up the canceled option on the F-35's for now. A future long range version called the bogan wingman, will go extended distances running on beer and will pick a fight with anyone.

F35 only premium in price , but very delicate, easy to break down , pricely maintenance .

The running costs of the f35 are too inhibitive - The new F 15 EX's would make an excellent new choice or even the EX 6 gen fighter from JAPAN

This is not entirely Correct, Japan will have the second largest F35 fleet, but the won’t happen until 2025. Australia currently has the second largest F35 fleet with 72 F35a’s. Japan will get 135 planned F35a and F35b . Australia has 24 super hornets and 12 E18 growlers. Australia is committing to the 6th generation fighter. The F18/E18 will be replaced by a 6 generation fighter.

I suspect that one of the reasons the RAAF choose not to exercise the 28 F-35's acquisition was to let other nations get the build slots, Germany and Canada come to mind.

Not to mention neither the f35 or f18E/F have the legs for what Australia needs. Even with refueling, it is difficult to to cover Australia, much less strike targets in SE Asia. What Australia really wants is an f111 replacement, which I think will be obtained through a combination of missiles, nuke subs and possibly even the b21 or another platform. Long range strike, particularly the naval kind, is the order of the day.

Aus has few options for a 6th gen. US NGAD & Tempest. Future variants of the F35 could also replace their Super Hornets & Growlers

Look, it's really simple. Though we might have to support the US or other allies in the indo-pacific, what the RAAF really must do is defend northern Australia and maybe PNG against Indonesia if it should come to an unpleasantness again. They've got SU-35C and E with twice the range of the F-35A, which means that they can hit us, but we can't hit them. This has to change. We have to have a long-range strike aircraft with a decent weapon load, and the F-35 isn't it. So we limit the purchase of F-35s and we buy something we actually need.

Strike Eagles would make more sense. A relatively small force of F-35s can clear the way and scout, and then the Eagles can do the pounding.

As a neighbouring country, (New Zealand) Australia is our main line of defence. We would rely on them in time of war as the first responders until the U.S and U.K arrived. The big jump in military spending was good for the west.

Those extra 28 F35's will probably still be gotten if only because the newer builds of the F35 will provide some extra abilities over our earlier builds.

I heard they're waiting for the next F-35 block which is supposed to improve compatibility with domestic Australian ordnance like drop bears...

Being back the F-111 and upgrade its engines to GE F110-132 engines! Imagine the increase in performance!💪💪

An interesting decision by Australia. If I were in their position, particularly when the first 6th generation planes are scheduled to come online in 2034, maybe they are waiting for the NGAD or Tempest. From what I know, Japan, Italy and UK are producing their 6th Gen Tempest while Australia is developing their loyal wingman to work with it as a 6th Gen package. The partners who were involved in the Lightening were angry at the US blocking them out of the NGAD project. Economies of scale would have made it cheaper for everyone. Instead we have the US with NGAD, Japan, UK and Italy with Tempest and finally, Germany, France and Spain with FCAS. it’s absolutely stupid for those three projects to be trying to produce 6th fighters that neither will be able to freely sell for security reasons. The customers who would have purchased that fighter are all competing with each other.

Comes down to cost and needs. Sure everyone wants the best but the best costs a lot of money. If you can upgrade what you currently have and still keep it competitive then less learning curve and changes. It also depends on what countries pose a threat to you and what they have.

Wise decision on Australia’s part.

Australia had never ordered the 28 extra F 35's. They didn't cancel them.

Excellent vid. Thank you.

The crews call the F35 the "Panther" because 60% of the time, it works every time. 😅

It was Great seeing our f 18 super hornets flying over near and around Williamtown it was a sight I will never forget, especially stopping at their raaf base to see the majestic aircraft land, consisting of trainer hawks, pc-21 planes and F35’s. I will always miss and remember the F18 forces we have there. If you want to see the Worimi Hornet in person, they have a museum there overlooking the runway where you can see all sorts of aircraft including the f-111. Stay safe Spartans.

Tempest partnership? Makes sense for Australia to join that.

We haven't check out of the F-35. My prediction is that we will replace that 4th proposed F-35 squadron with the NGAD. We will also acquire the B-21.

Would be good to see Australia get some F15EX platforms to replace the F18 platforms especially if the USAF get the NGJP for the EX

The RAAF's F/A-18Fs are operated by the 1 SQN, notionally a strike squadron. Since the retirement of the F-111, the RAAF has lacked a true strategic strike capability. There may be some interest in eventually replacing the F/A-18 with the B-21 to fill this gap.

I agree about the F-111. It was ahead of its time!.

Great video.

Is NGAD going to be exported? I suppose it would likely either be that or Tempest.

The Quad is NOT an alliance. It is merely an agreement to share intelligence. No military commitment to mutual support in case of conflict. India likes it that way.

One word Tempest will be available to our Brothers and Sisters in Australia.

Very good content

There is still a chance that Australia will put in another order down the road once the F-35 has implemented future upgrades

The problem with both the NGAD and B21 for us Aussies is cost. Having to shill out what we will for these nuclear subs, I don't know if we will really have the budget for the new cool guys in town. I guess it depends on how China plays its game until then. They are the only real driving force in our region for us to acquire such advanced capabilities.

The fact of the matter is Exactly the same as Canada ,Australia needs an air superiority aircraft and the F 35 won't cut the mustard

I thought this was an excellent report, followed by a very informative discussion. I've sub'd. But what I would really like to see you do is a report on the F-35 and its much vaunted capabilities in different actual combat envelopes. No need to go into anything classified but game out some specifics so we all have a better understanding. If we used a chess board analogy what piece would the F-35 be, what could it uniquely do and why is that important? If you did this I think it would be a great service to all involved.

Australia didn't purchase F35 to replace F18 super hornets at all. They was purchase to replace the old clasic hornets F18 A and B varent. Super hornet was purchased as ment to only be a gap for the F111 replacement till RAAF found another salotion. It really bothers me to listen to foregeners talk about Australia defence as so much is based wrong information. Or dated information. Australia government has decided to stop the continued purchase of F35A and upgrade the existing super hornets to block III reason as its getting closer for 6th generation aircraft option along with drones. The F35 was a decade too late entering service. Australia not going to continue purchase the 5th generation aircraft when it's almost time to replace them

the 35 programmes have been woeful including failing to meet written essential requirements and massive cost over runs. australia massively gains increases through great aircraft modified updated and exceptional performance by plane, servicing, avionics, weapons and pilots. ground attack capability nothing like it required to have.

There isn’t any debate that J20 isn’t a 5th gen aircraft. It is not a low observable aircraft, it can’t super cruise, and it is not super maneuverable.

The F15 QA Eagle would be an awesome choice

I highly doubt the U.S. would export the NGAD given how cutting edge it's supposed to be. Given it's price tag of "several hundreds of millions dollars" per aircraft, I doubt Australia could afford it anyway. The primary reason Australia decided not to pursue B-21 procurement was cost. The more likely scenario is that Australia buys the GCAP fighter.

As a prior Commander for the largest USAF ground radar unit in Japan, and a Mission Crew Commander Air Battle Manager on AWACS, Australia is too far away to help much with Taiwan or mainland China. Australia have no aircraft carriers so the enemy is going to have to be pretty close for them to us the fighter aircraft. Okinawa is bristling with US military 400 miles east of Taiwan and, while it's nice to have help from the Aussies, it won't be needed for any rapid response counter strikes. It's also nice to have our allies as strong as possible to give different options for long term conflicts. So kudos for their new subs and maybe they will purchase more F-35's in the future.

Definitely holding out for NGAD.

Howard made the decision on the F35 on the way to a meeting the US in the limo. Thankfully it's finally been put down.

I worked at the Super hornet SPO as well as both of the F111 SQN's, we were the poor brother to the USA when it came to spares so looking at the issues with the F35 software etc I don't think the RAAF wants anymore pain hence the downsizing.

From the ASPI article about the Super Hornet flying on: "RAAF chief Air Marshal Robert Chipman has said: ‘We will look at the F-35 and we’re very, very comfortable and very happy with the capability of the F-35. But it would be remiss of me not to look at what else is available for us to replace our Super Hornets in the future.’" This sums up the situation best I reckon so no, Australia isn't moving on from the F-35. Our previous and current governments have a lot of projects ongoing and this will continue in successive governments.

This is misleading. Australia ordered 72 with an option to buy more, but decided to look at UAV's to fit out a 4th squadron. Misleading

Understood and explained adequately

They could be looking closer at b-21 or getting on ngad. They got offered the b-21

This! This is what I was talking about in your video on Canada getting the F-35. It's way too expensive, the capability do not fit our needs. We don't need a fancy battle coordinator, we need self defence, we need attack support, and we need a sustainable cost to operate. The Grippen would have fulfilled all the requirements at a quarter of the cost to purchase and operate.

OK let me throw this in the chat: The UK / Japan / Italy Tempest will fly in prototype / proof of concept tests in 2025 and is scheduled to go into service in the early 2030s when Typhoon (and RAAF F-18s) will be retired. Given the RAN will be building and using the British designed and powered 'next - Astute' nuclear sub under the AUKUS programme, is building and will be using the UK designed and powered Type 26 frigate and it has its developing drone programme I suspect the Aussies could do a very good deal with the UK to buy Tempest given that that aircraft is being designed for 'wingman' capability. It would open a very useful market given the countries building it. I am also not convinced the USA will export its new fighter just as they didn't with the F-22. Just food for thought.

Going on what was reported in this story, current production rates are one new F-35 roughly every 2 1/2 days. That’s pretty impressive when you consider all the technology involved.

Forgot to comment yesterday haha...😎

The trouble with the F35 is the amount of downtime, and cost, for every hour of flight time.

Good move . The F-18 is a premier fighter. Still a star in this new era.

In FY2021, F-35As (including the older aircraft not in combat-coded F-35 units) achieved 11.2 mean flight hours between critical failures - the target was 20 hours. This makes the F35A unsuitable for Oz. Here in Oz, we do not have the ships and support to quickly pick up a pilot (aka shark bait) from the water a long way from support. Pilots are reluctant to fly the F35A over water in remote area for that reason.

The F-35 is a great example for America’s privat industry over designing and ending in a mess.

The F35 program has been ploughing through deep troubles for extended times. The RAAF is not alone in reworking orders and planning. The US gov stats on avail rates for F35 for 2023 is as horrible and bad as previous years, in some ways worse. How as a program you manage to be both screwing up your new tranches - and having findings against the aging of in service units is brutally grim. When you are unable to get above the aging Harrier fleet in avail rate, and have a worsening state than that fleet - it really says something. The farce over the new engine also highlights a further staggering failure in the program. Its got unending software issues, and very very poor operational outcomes (Things like the plane is so flawed that high altitude supersonic flight is basically being excluded) - when customers are advised that the actual compute hardware, which given a time window of beyond 20 years, has got so 'hot' (the mind boggles that they have runaway thermal design issues in modern hardware which should be magnitudes cooler over decades time frames) - means that another outcome like the B models being unable to take a new engine - and thus won't be able to move forward technically - are just part of the unending farce of the program. It is highly likely that the UK will cut order numbers sharply, and the Belgians are currently refusing to take the plane on order as they contracted TR4 and have been handed TR3s. The F35 has been, and remains YEARS behind where its meant to actually be, and the in service units are an absolute mess. The plane to reach the correct TR4 levels now look like fleetwide level rework and re-enginning is required. There comes a point where people have to decide on a cut of point for their interactions with the failing program, and that's the inflection point now. Focus is changing towards NGAD and Tempest and other programs, and in the UK - it should actually look sideways and place a new order for Typhoon (which bluntly is carrying the war-work and work load, burning through its air frame hours covering for the failing F35 state.)

Someone in Australia was reading the old 2014 Air Power Australia report signed by Carlo Kopp and with that made a decision in 2023

F-18 also maintains some ability to provide longer range strike capability. Australia is very big and the f35 have comparitivley short rang which is important to maintain the air sea gap

Why is the F35 such a special aircraft? It is because it is massively over budget and over time; even then it is barely functional. Because it is so overdue much of the technology, (including the stealth) is obsolete. But it has succeeded in its primary mission, to transfer as much money as possible from the US government to the shareholders of Lockheed Martin, thereby giving the executives of that company the biggest possible bonuses.

Excellent video. Makes sense to operate the Super Hornets longer and upgrade them as they have more range than the F-35. It will be cool to see Block III hornets. Hope more Super Hornets operators then chose this upgrade.

Australia has 4 units flying F35a , not at full strength as RAAF is still receiving new aircraft for a total of 72 ( 28 more were options ) . Two units fly the F18 super hornets with a total of 36. ( 12 Growlers with 12 more pre engineered to be Growlers of the 24 ).

The gig is up on stealth. Modern sensors and computing has cracked this problem. It's a huge part of why the US are also building more F15's. When stealth is no longer the key function you're better off going with superior performance.

Wagner is training the abbos in Northern territory to take their country back.

I'm not quite certain, but maybe the AUKUS submarine (SSN) deal has put somewhat of a dent in earlier procurement plans as well. SSNs are extremely costly and require more dedicated infrastructure than diesel-electric/AIP submarines. While Australia certainly isn't a poor nation, it doesn't have the kind of fiscal and monetary leverage the US have, so also acquiring NGAD and B-21s alongside F-35As (which will have to be up to the block 4 standard with considerable added cost) and SSNs? Sorry, can't see that happening even with tensions rising. Australia has got a lot on its plate as is. The Royal Australian Army is modernizing with among others : the replacement of the ARH-2 Tiger and MRH-90 (both not up to specs) by UH-60 and AH-64E (?), the investment related with the SSNs and its specialized training and maintenance/repair infrastructure and industrial support base, the replacement of the ANZAC-class frigates scheduled, and possibly the purchase of Patriot batteries (haven't seen a final decision on that yet). That's a lot for any nation to carry in a relative short timeframe. If one added NGAD and B-21 Raiders, I wonder if Australian taxpayers can or want to carry that financial burden. Maybe if some mining company strikes gold in the outback again...

The F-35's nickname in Australia is "The Little Turd". Pretty much sums it up, really.

It’s getting scary with the capabilities of gen 5 jets, and the possibilities of the gen 6 jets. In the 80’s and 90’s the fear with future jets was creating something that a human pilot could not control or even survive because of the potential G’s. These gen 5’s are game changers, and before they really get comfortable with the planes, these countries are already planning for the gen 6’s. I flew the F-16 in the 80’s and 90’s and that craft has been “proven” for 40 years. With upgrades, it’s still formidable. Can’t wait to see what the 6’s can do.

Thank God. This plane is an overrated money pit

We currently have a Labor (Democrat)federal government. Every time they get into power, Labor rips funding from defence. The F35 cut is not the only programme they've done this too. They have cut by 2/3 the amount of new AFV's and SPA's that the Army was going to get for eg. Standard Labor.

Australia had options for 28 more F-35s, it did not place an order. 🤦‍♂🤦‍♂

Most likely this cancellation is to wait for the upcoming 6th gen option as part of AUKUS. But some B21 Raiders would also be a good fit, bringing back that kind of advantage in strike technology that Australia found so useful out of the F-111. Also, an updated FA18 Super Hornet will not be a bad piece of kit, and not every mission requires full stealth capabilities, so choosing to run multiple platforms will allow greater flexibility even if it leads to slightly worse logistics. It is very interesting that India chose the Rafale. It's quite a capable aircraft in its own way, and built for an almost entirely different doctrine. With some upgrades the French are making to their missiles it will be very interesting to see how that would match up against an upgraded Super Hornet (not that we are anything but allies).

Astralia could join the UK/Italy/Japan Tempest 6th generation fighter program.

An airplane will last as long as you want to spend money on repairs. I was stationed at cannon afb. We had f111d fighter bombers. I liked the airplanes.

Interesting there was talk of running 4th squadron F35 with 2 squadron F18 Superhornets. Since ghostbats come on line n B21 as future order, F35 has struggled to do F18 can do especially EW. F111 had been continued it would been turn into EF111 version with stealth features, EF111 tail n EW suit fitted but F18 fitted that solution plus future upgrades.

the SuperHornet was not to replace the F111. It was to fill the gap between F/A18A and F35A

new news (a few days after this vid was posted): Australia will develop a domestic facility to apply stealth coatings to the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter. The new Aircraft Coating Facility will be built at Newcastle Airport, New South Wales, and will support the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) fleet of F-35As, says Australia’s Department of Defence.

Australia should get the F15SEX to replace the Hornets

First I've heard of Oz interest in the B-21. I need to pay closer attention lol. Come to think of it, I'm not all that familiar with the B-21. Most recent word I can find is that additional long-range capabilities/weaponry for the F/A-18 has been chosen instead. But who knows? The world of military procurement can throw up some odd outcomes.

The USAF has just banned it's F-35A's from flying within 25 miles of storms, especially thunderstorms (ie, bad weather), because apparently they fall out the sky. Several reasons are possible but the likeliest is the fact the metal mesh added to the carbon fibre provides inadequate lightening protection (probably caused by the famous weight issues the F-35 has suffered). If this is the case then it's not an issue that can be resolved with repair or retrofit, which effectively makes these planes useless other than on sunny days. No word on whether this effects the F-35B/C variants but as all three effectively share the same architecture, and as the B/C variants had even more weight issues than the A, then this plane looks to be the biggest eff-up in Western military procurement history.

They haven't moved on, it's Friday they are in the pub; Good luck getting in touch till next Tuesday..... /s

Think your video is a little bit misleading. Australian hasn't moved on, it's purchase of F35 was always only 72, which is expected/hoped to be delivered in full end this year. There was the POTENTIAL for a further order of 28 to take the number to 100 under the partner program, but that was more Lockheed's sales hopes, rather than anything factual or at all contractual. So there was no cancellation, simply a defence review decided that 72 aircraft can suffice until any access to 6th gen is clearer (as you did indicate). Depending on the US's stand on that, the order for 28 more may in fact still come... its all up in the air (pun intended) at this time.

UK hinted at Japan to join AUKUS to create JAUKUS. Australia and US should really consider such a tactically placed trusted ally and invite them, i hope it could happen but i don't see it. Mainly because i think Japan's constitution doesn't allow it.

Tempest is coming, and for a change America is facing a wee bit of home grown western competition. This should be seen as a good thing, competition keeps all the players focused.