RAAF to have largest F-35A Joint Strike Fighter combat force in the world outside the US

Australia’s defence force should be preparing for a mammoth F-35A Joint Strike Fighter combat order but instead it’s created another major issue.

Australia will have the largest and most capable F-35A Joint Strike Fighter combat force in the world outside the US by December this year with confirmation the last order of the advanced aircraft will be delivered.

But the RAAF has raised the alarm that it might not have enough people to fly them with across-the-board personnel shortages from technicians to pilots.

Defence has confirmed it will reach “Final Operational Capability” in December with the last delivery of nine F-35s to see the RAAF with all its 72 aircraft, to have three operational squadrons and one training unit.

A F-35 A Lightning II, are in Townsville for combat flight training. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The F-35s operate out of RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory and RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW.

A series of issues and production setbacks as well as software upgrades had left doubts the final tranche of aircraft could be delivered before year’s end.

But the only issue now is personnel.

“The number of trained F-35A pilots meets interim project milestones however future milestones are trending below planned numbers,” the RAAF has conceded in internal Defence minutes.

“The Air Force faces challenges across workforce attraction, generation and retention. Although most of the F-35A workforce has successfully transitioned from the FA-18A Classic Hornet capability to the F-35A, there are shortages across the technical, support and pilot workforces.”

RAAF training in the F-35 multi-role fighters. Picture: Nathan Edwards

The RAAF has listed development of “human capability” through improved operational training as one of three priorities from now to ensure the workforce strength and numbers continue to grow.

It is understood it currently does not have the scalable crewing to operate all available aircraft at high tempo.

Defence and the RAAF declined to directly answer questions about apparent personnel shortfalls from flagging retention and recruitment programs but said flight training at RAAF Base East Sale as well as Pearce in WA had helped.

Graduate Pilot Officer Andrew Cary graduated from No 2 Flying Training School, flying PC-21 aircraft at RAAF Base Pearce this year. Picture: Chris Kershaw / Defence

“The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is increasing training capacity to meet growing workforce demands including aircrew instructors and graduates proportionate to capability requirements,” a spokesman said.

“Since Air Force commenced flying training at RAAF Base East Sale with the PC-21 in 2019, the number of pilot graduates has steadily increased to the planned mature state.”

The number of weeks involved in recruit training this year has also been reduced with the “course compression” increasing capacity by 85 per cent.

Meanwhile, Australia and the United States have progressed plans to integrate Long Range Anti-Ship Missile and Joint Strike Missile on the multi-role fighter.

Both allies are also as a priority progressing considerations for teaming the F-35 with Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat fighter drone in a manned-unmanned teaming format.

Both were deemed priorities by the Defence Strategic Review for air combat capability.