Defence satisfied F-35s will be ready next year

Defence has dismissed new reports of serious flaws in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Two Australian F-35s over the Hopi Reservation, Arizona, USA.

Defence has dismissed new ­reports of serious flaws in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, including its stealth coating peeling off at high speeds and “excruciating” cockpit pressure spikes that could endanger pilots.

Australia, which has received two F-35s and has another 70 on order, has more than $18 billion sunk into the fifth-generation fighter, which is supposed to ensure the regional air superiority for decades.

Citing official documents, US publication Defense News reported the Navy and Marine Corps versions of the F-35 jet risked structural damage to the F-35’s airframe and “blistering” of its stealth coating at supersonic speeds in excess of Mach 1.2.

It said F-35 pilots at times suffered extreme ear and sinus pain, and reported issues with the aircraft’s helmet-mounted display and night vision camera.

A separate report from Britain also revealed recently that a Chinese-owned company was making circuit boards for the F-35 that “control many of the F-35’s core capabilities”.

The ADF told The Australian it was satisfied with progress on the JSF program, and the integrity of the JSF supply chain. “The F-35A Joint Strike Fighter is the most capable and best value fifth-generation multi-role fighter to meet Australia’s air power requirements. Australia’s fleet remains on track to reach initial operational capability in December 2020,” a Defence spokeswoman said.

She said the aircraft would be “subject to constant review and ­assessment so issues can be identified and addressed early”.

Suppliers of parts for the aircraft “must comply with the ­appropriate regulations and the penalties can be severe where breaches are detected”, the spokeswoman said.

The Lowy Institute’s international security program director, Sam Roggeveen, said the Defense News report revealed “hitherto unknown flaws in the F-35 program”.

However, he said it was unsurprising Defence had reaffirmed its commitment to the JSF program.   “For one thing, many of the flaws and glitches uncovered by Defense News relate to the B and C versions of the F-35, not the A version which Australia is buying,” Mr Roggeveen said.

“If Australia wants a so-called fifth-generation fighter, which it needs if the RAAF is to maintain a viable defence against the rapidly modernising Chinese military, there is no alternative to the F-35.”