Defence White Paper 2013 pp. 87-89 said:
Air Combat Capability
8.79 As a key part of Australia’s defence strategy, the Royal Australian Air Force must be able to control
Australia’s air approaches and enable and support friendly operations in the land, sea and air
environments. The delivery of Australia’s F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and the supporting KC-30A
air-to-air refuelling aircraft will ensure the continued potency of Australia’s air combat system in
projecting decisive air power in the defence of Australia and its interests.
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8.80 Emerging advanced air combat and air defence capabilities within the region, together with the
proliferation of modern electronic warfare systems, will make the air combat tasks of controlling the
air, conducting strike and supporting land and naval forces increasingly challenging.
8.81 To meet this challenge, the Government remains committed to acquiring the fifth-generation F-35A
Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, with three operational squadrons planned to enter service beginning
around 2020 to replace the F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft. The Joint Strike Fighter provides the stealth
technology, advanced sensors and weapons, networking and data fusion capabilities required to
maintain an air combat advantage into the foreseeable future. The Joint Strike Fighter will also provide
a highly capable land and maritime strike capability.
8.82 Australia’s air combat capability is a vital part of our national security framework. The Government will
not allow a gap in our air combat capability to occur.
8.83 As a prudent measure to assure Australia’s air combat capability through the transition period to the
Joint Strike Fighter, the Government has decided to retain the current 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets (one
operational squadron) in their current air combat and strike capability configuration.
8.84 A decision on replacing the Super Hornets with additional Joint Strike Fighters will be made closer to
the withdrawal of the Super Hornets, which is not expected until around 2030.
8.85 The Government has also decided to acquire 12 new-build EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft
instead of converting 12 of Australia’s existing F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft into the Growler
configuration. 12 Growler aircraft will enhance significantly the ADF’s electronic warfare capability
and, together with the Joint Strike Fighter and the Super Hornet, will form a formidable air combat force
capable of controlling both the air and electronic environments.
Maritime Intelligence Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Response
8.86 Defence will continue to provide effective intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability
across Australia’s vast maritime area of interest. This will require ongoing sustainment of the frequently
used but ageing AP-3C Orion fleet, along with the timely acquisition of a replacement capability.
8.87 The Government intends to replace the AP-3C fleet with P-8A Poseidon aircraft, complemented by
unmanned aircraft capable of undertaking broad area maritime surveillance and fleet overwatch. Timings
will facilitate a carefully managed transition between AP-3C and P-8A fleets. The goal is to provide
long-range, long-endurance maritime surveillance and response and an effective anti-submarine and
anti-surface warfare capability. Defence will continue to investigate options for a mixed manned and
unmanned aircraft fleet to inform Government consideration later in the decade.
Air Combat Enablers
8.88 The Joint Strike Fighter, Super Hornet and Growler aircraft will require a base of supporting systems
including command and control, intelligence, targeting and strategically located air bases to realise
their full capability. The reach and effectiveness of Australia’s combat aircraft will also be enhanced
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by the air to-air refuelling and airborne early warning and control capabilities accepted into service in
recent years.
8.89 The KC-30A multi-role tanker/transport aircraft provides the ability for the air combat fleet to extend strike
range or combat air patrol endurance. The KC-30A’s tanking and cargo lift capacity facilitates the rapid
deployment of a fighter squadron from the national support base to a forward operating base to project
decisive air power where needed. It is also a key enabler for air lift, surveillance and reconnaissance.
8.90 The E-7 ‘Wedgetail’ airborne early warning and control aircraft has revolutionised Australia’s control
and coordination of the air combat fleet. Its highly capable radar and systems provide a situational
awareness capability edge. Networked tactical data links will enable the common operational picture
and high-quality sensor information to be available to other ADF and allied fighting units.
Air Mobility
8.91 Air mobility is critical to lift, deploy and sustain forces in Australia’s north and offshore. The ADF
operates a balanced air mobility capability with C-17 Globemaster III aircraft providing long-range,
heavy air lift and the C-130J providing medium-to-long range tactical air lift and air drop. The KC-30A
also provides a supplemental long-range, high-speed and large-payload air mobility capability.
8.92 The ADF has taken delivery of two more C-17 Globemaster III strategic lift aircraft to achieve a fleet
of six in total. The utility of the C-17 in supporting operations has been demonstrated repeatedly in
recent years, particularly in the Middle East Area of Operations and also closer to home in providing
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The additional C-17 air lift has negated the need for the
previously planned additional two C 130J transport aircraft.
8.93 The light tactical role previously undertaken by Australia’s DHC-4 Caribou aircraft (retired in 2009) will
in future be provided by ten C-27J Battlefield Airlifters. Recent natural disasters have demonstrated
the flexibility and rapid response that air lift is able to provide. The acquisition of ten C-27J aircraft and
seven CH-47F Chinook helicopters will significantly boost the ADF’s tactical and heavy air lift capacity,
including the ability to reach difficult access areas for which larger aircraft may be unsuitable.
