The RAAF F-35A flies over Melbourne during a media preview ahead of the 2023 Australian International Airshow on Feb. 24, 2023.
Alex Coppel | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Lockheed Martin hopes Australia desires to buy more of its F-35 fighter planes after the country completes a defence review, an executive on the U.S. manufacturer said on Tuesday.
“We hope for the chance to deliver additional F-35s beyond” the 72 Australia has on order, Executive Vice President of Aeronautics Greg Ulmer said on the sidelines of the Australia International Airshow.
Ulmer also said Lockheed has talked with Australia about teaming the F-35 with Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat fighter-like drone.
Boeing’s defence division head Ted Colbert said in the course of the air show that a partnership could be “great news.”
In a crewed-uncrewed teaming situation, the F-35 could serve because the “quarterback” and concentrate on accurate targeting while other aircraft deployed weapons, said Steve Over, Lockheed’s director of international business.
Australia has purchased 72 Lockheed F-35A jets to form three squadrons, with all aircraft scheduled to be fully operational this 12 months. It had initially expressed interest in buying 100.
A defense strategic review considering Australia’s future force posture — including the possible purchase of a fourth squadron of F-35 jets — was handed to the federal government on Feb. 14.
Defense Minister Richard Marles, in a pre-air show speech on Monday, said the review and the federal government’s response could be made public in April.
He said the review comes against a backdrop of increased strategic competition between nations within the region.
“Within the Indo-Pacific, China is driving the most important conventional military build-up we have seen anywhere on the planet for the reason that Second World War. And far of this build-up is opaque,” Marles said.
Australia, a staunch U.S. ally, has joined america in pushing back against China’s growing power and influence, particularly its military buildup, pressure on Taiwan and deployments within the contested South China Sea.
Lockheed’s Over said it might take about 4 years for Australia to receive more F-35s if it placed an order this 12 months.
