Two years after the first F-35A arrived in Australia the RAAF has declared Initial Operating Capability. The 30th was accepted in September. The UK is scheduled to have 27 by the end of 2021 and declared IOC with 9 available for deployment. Different priorities and methodologies? The RAAF should have received all 72 on order by the end of 2023.
I believe the second operational squadron (77) should form early in 2021, the RAAF have a training squadron (2 OCU) at Williamtown but in October (at least) still had a presence with the 61st FS at Luke AFB which included 5 RAAF F-35As. The RAAF will have 6 Full Mission Simulators at Williamtown and another 4 due at Tindal in 2021, I understand they can all be networked together.
Defence Minister, Linda Reynolds CSC and Defence Industry Minister, Melissa Price have announced a major milestone in the transformation of the Royal Australian Air Force declaring Australia’s F-35A Lightning II fleet can now be deployed on operations, with Initial Operational Capability being officially achieved.
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“For the last two years, Defence has rigorously tested the F-35A fleet to assess aircraft and system performance, and declare this important milestone,” Minister Reynolds added.
“The Australian Defence Force now has an F-35A squadron ready to conduct technologically advanced strike and air combat roles, and another squadron dedicated to providing world-class training here in Australia.
From one version of the story which can be found here:
https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/st...aaf-f-35-fleet