RAAF Spends US$1.2 Billion To Renovate F-35 Base

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) announced on Wednesday that it has spent US$1.2 billion to upgrade F-35 base to support the introduction, operation and deployment of the F-35A Lightning II Fighter.

Australia has plans to acquire 72 F-35A aircraft as they will provide aircrew with a fifth generation aircraft at the forefront of air combat technology.

The commencement of an almost US$1.2 billion project will provide facilities for the aircraft at ten bases across the country. Of this, the RAAF Base Williamtown facilities are expected to bring about US$761 million worth of work into the Newcastle region.

The introduction of the F-35A aircraft to RAAF Base Williamtown assures the position as premier fighter training base for Australia’s air combat pilots.

The first F-35A aircraft will arrive in Australia in late-2018, with Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, from RAAF Base Williamtown, recently qualifying as the first Australian F-35A pilot.