Introduction to Australia’s F-35A Lightning II EIS Project

This site has been established to provide information about the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process Defence has commenced for the flying operations of the F-35A Lightning II (commonly known as the Joint Strike Fighter) aircraft.

In 1999, the Australian Department of Defence established the New Air Combat Capability (NACC) Project to investigate aircraft options to replace the current fleets of F-111 and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.

In 2002, after having reviewed the full range of combat aircraft available, Australia was the eighth (and last) country to join the US in the development and demonstration phase of the multi-national Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program.

In 2009, the Australian Government approved acquisition of the first batch of 14 F-35A aircraft, as well as supporting systems and weapons.

On current plans, Australia seeks to acquire around 100 F-35A aircraft.

The Government’s investment in acquiring Australia’s next generation of air combat capability could be one of the top two defence capability outlays in Australia’s history.

The timing of F-35A deliveries to Australia is still under consideration, but aircraft are likely to progressively arrive at RAAF Base Williamtown around 2019.