John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I can confirm that the government has approved the acquisition of the first 14 Joint Strike Fighters and the infrastructure and support required for initial training and testing, for delivery commencing in 2014, at an estimated cost of some $3.2 billion. This decision was underpinned by an unprecedented level of analysis and evaluation by Australia, the United States and the seven international Joint Strike Fighter partners. Australia’s air combat capability is of course of immense importance to our national security. That is why the previous Minister for Defence commissioned the air combat capability review early last year. The review informed the 2009 Defence white paper commitment to acquire around 100 F35 Joint Strike Fighters to replace the FA18 Hornets as the core of our future air combat capability.

The next batch of aircraft, to provide three operational squadrons and a training squadron, will be considered in 2012 and will fulfil our white paper commitment to acquire three operational squadrons comprising not fewer than 72 aircraft. Australia’s first operational squadron will be ready for operations in 2018. All three operational squadrons are planned to be in service in 2021. An additional operational squadron, bringing the total number of aircraft to around 100, will be considered at a later date.