Major change for Royal Australian Air Force amid furious debate over defence budget

The change and extra cash spent on the uniforms comes as the US pressures Australia to up defence spending.

Royal Australian Air Force aviators will soon wear green Defence Force uniforms on missions rather than their iconic blue outfits in a major shake-up amid debate on the size of Australia’s military budget and how it is spent.

The Telegraph can reveal that later this year, aviators will be issued the green Australian multicam camouflage uniform to wear on frontline and training operations, instead of the iconic blue general purpose uniform synonymous with the air force.

The green uniform is the one used by army soldiers when on frontline duties including at wartime and in training, while aviators have worn their blue uniforms since 2014, when the blue and grey patterned kit was brought in to distinguish them from other defence staff.

The change comes amid heated debate over the country’s defence budget – with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this week pressuring the Australian government to up spending to 3.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

The Defence department conceded the change would come at a cost, but declined to outline the figure, citing the need to improve “preparedness” for conflict.

“The Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform (AMCU) equips aviators for conflict and expeditionary operations … This ensures Air Force personnel are prepared for the environments they operate in, consistent with the direction of the National Defence Strategy,” the spokeswoman said.

“While there is a cost associated with upgrading uniforms, it is a necessary investment in the preparedness of the Australian Defence Force.”

An example of the blue camouflage GPU worn by the air force and introduced in 2014. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Former Coalition assistant spokesman for defence personnel and Australian Army veteran Phil Thompson questioned the additional spend on new uniforms, criticising defence Minister Richard Marles.

“It’s a gross waste of taxpayer money – in a time of global uncertainty with war bubbling around the world, when we should be investing in our national security and defence of our nation, the minister for defence’s priority is to phase out the blue RAAF uniform so they can wear the green traditional army uniform,” Mr Thompson said.

“Their focus needs to be on detecting, deterring and being ready for conflict to defend this nation – not being worried about what uniform they need to change to because the minister has decided blue is no longer his colour.”

The Defence spokeswoman confirmed the rollout of green camo would begin later this year, and that the blue uniform would remain an authorised working dress for Air Force personnel “at home and on base”.

An Air Force Association spokeswoman said the blue camo would be sentimental to some used to wearing it, but overall it supported the move.

“The Air Force Association acknowledges the GPU’s role in fostering a distinct RAAF identity since 2014, which has been meaningful for some of our members,” she said. “While some may feel sentimental attachment to the blue uniform, we support the transition to AMCU as a forward-looking move to enhance operational readiness and alignment with the ADF’s expeditionary focus.

“The continued use of GPU for non-warlike duties ensures our heritage remains visible.”

Veterans said the changes could help bring uniformity across Defence, with former Special Force Commando Heston Russell welcoming the move.

“All of our coalition partners wear the same uniform (between defence branches),” he said.

“I think that’s a good move, because the blue uniform is the most unpractical thing in the world, besides identifying that you’re in the Air Force.”

Originally published as Major change for Royal Australian Air Force amid furious debate over defence budget