excellent post - whatever anyone's views on the RN carriers the rate of buying F-35's is a disgrace
From Flight 1st March this yearLockheed Martin’s head of international business says the producer of advanced aircraft is on track to complete Australia’s order of 72 F-35 Lightning II fighters by the end of 2023. Steve Over spoke with FlightGlobal at the Avalon Airshow outside Melbourne on 1 March.
“As of today, they have 59 airplanes, here in Australia,” says Over, noting that a 60th jet is complete and “waiting on the ramp” at Lockheed’s Fort Worth, Texas production facility. “We’ll deliver the remaining 12 aircraft before the end of this year,” he adds.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) hopes to declare full operational capability for its F-35 fleet in December 2023, Over notes.