Yes, Australia has the F-35A Lightning II fighter jet, operating a fleet of 72 aircraft that serve as the cornerstone of the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) air combat power, replacing older Hornets and integrating stealth, electronic warfare, and multi-role capabilities. The final aircraft delivery completed the planned acquisition in late 2024, with Australian industry playing a significant role in its global supply chain.
Australia has received its full fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, completing the order for three squadrons by late 2024, with plans or discussions to potentially increase this number to 100 aircraft in the future to replace other jets like Super Hornets.
The aircraft has been ordered by program partner nations, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, and Australia, and also through the Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program, including Japan, South Korea, and Israel. The units that operate or plan on operating the aircraft are listed below.
2021: First aircraft arrives for permanent basing at RAAF Base Tindal. 2023: Asia-Pacific Regional Warehouse IOC. 2024: Final F-35 lands in Australia.
F-35A Lightning II.
Neither the F-22 nor the F-35 is universally "better"; they are designed for different primary roles, with the F-22 excelling at air superiority (dogfighting, speed, climb) and the F-35 shining as a versatile, multi-role strike fighter with superior sensors, electronic warfare, and data fusion for ground attack and broader missions, though the F-35 is also capable in air-to-air combat. Think of the F-22 as a pure air-to-air hunter and the F-35 as a networked battlefield commander that can also hunt.
Australia's F-35A fighters are primarily based at RAAF Base Williamtown (NSW) for training and operations, with significant numbers also at RAAF Base Tindal (NT), forming the backbone of its air defence, with occasional deployments to other locations like Amberley.
Yes, Australia has a strong, technologically advanced, and well-trained military (the Australian Defence Force - ADF), ranking globally as a significant power, especially in the Asia-Pacific, despite its relatively small size; it excels in defense networks and is investing heavily in modernizing its air, land, and sea capabilities with key partners like the US and UK, making it a highly capable regional force.
The UK's existing F-35Bs are designed to fly off the Royal Navy's two aircraft carriers. The nuclear weapons-capable A-variant only operate off the land. The MoD has said it will purchase an additional 15 F-35Bs and 12 of the As at an anticipated cost of £3.2bn.
What many critics complain about with the F-35 is that it has too small wings (in order to be stored compactly on an aircraft carrier), which gives the aircraft little lift. The critics say that small wings give the F-35 bad lift because the wing area is crucial for an aircraft to achieve a good lift.
There's no single "most dangerous" fighter jet, but the F-22 Raptor is often cited for air superiority due to its unmatched stealth, speed (Mach 2.25), supercruise, and maneuverability, making it dominant in air-to-air combat. Other contenders include the multirole F-35 Lightning II, known for connectivity and versatility; the agile Sukhoi Su-57, Russia's stealth fighter; and the powerful F-15EX Eagle II, the most heavily armed.
Su-57 excels in speed, manoeuvrability, and cost-effectiveness, better-suited for air superiority and defensive roles. The F-35 is superior in stealth, sensor integration, and combat-proven reliability, making it ideal for offensive operations and networked warfare.
Carries just 5,700 pounds of internal weapons to minimize its radar cross-section. Once air superiority secured, can deploy external hardpoints, boosting its payload. Can carry up to 14 AMRAAMs and six 2,000-pound JDAM bombs. Only negative is Beast Mode cuts operational range in half.
The RAAF provides support across a spectrum of operations such as air superiority, precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, air mobility, space surveillance, and humanitarian support. The RAAF has 252 aircraft, of which 108 are combat aircraft.
United States - The Global Air Power Leader
The United States continues to make significant investments in its aerial capabilities, which solidifies its position as the leading military aviation power and accounts for around 40% of worldwide defense spending.
In a direct head-to-head matchup, the J-35 would edge out the American F-35C on speed, with a claimed top speed of up Mach 1.8, potentially allowing the J-35 to engage (or disengage) faster in supersonic fights compared to the F-35C's Mach 1.6.
The F-22 Raptor's capabilities in speed and climb rate are almost unrivalled. With a top speed around Mach 2.25 and a superior climb rate, it outpaces the F-35, which maxes out around Mach 1.6. This makes the Raptor better suited for intercept missions and traditional dogfights.
Beyond the big screen, Tom Cruise takes the controls in real life. The actor is an avid licensed pilot who owns multiple private jets and once personally flew a World War II-era fighter plane for cockpit scenes in the film Valkyrie.
The US has long dominated military aviation with two cutting-edge fighter jets. > F-22 Raptor – Designed for air superiority, the F-22 offers unmatched stealth and agility.
The United States is consistently ranked as having the #1 most powerful military in the world for 2025 by organizations like Global Firepower and Business Insider. This ranking stems from its massive defense budget, advanced technology, global power projection, and dominance in air, sea, and cyber warfare, though China has the largest number of active personnel.
Australia has plentiful supplies of natural resources, including the second largest accessible reserves of iron ore in the world, the fifth largest reserves of coal and significant gas resources. For a long time, commodities have made up a sizeable share of our exports.
German soldiers generally held a mix of fear, deep respect, and admiration for Australian troops in both World Wars, recognizing them as exceptionally tough, cunning, and tenacious fighters, with figures like Erwin Rommel praising their fighting spirit and describing them as magnificent in attack and defense, though some German press also dismissed them as a small population incapable of sustaining a major war effort.
Australia has received its full fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, completing the order for three squadrons by late 2024, with plans or discussions to potentially increase this number to 100 aircraft in the future to replace other jets like Super Hornets.
Neither the F-22 nor the F-35 is universally "better"; they are designed for different primary roles, with the F-22 excelling at air superiority (dogfighting, speed, climb) and the F-35 shining as a versatile, multi-role strike fighter with superior sensors, electronic warfare, and data fusion for ground attack and broader missions, though the F-35 is also capable in air-to-air combat. Think of the F-22 as a pure air-to-air hunter and the F-35 as a networked battlefield commander that can also hunt.
Australia's F-35A fleet has replaced the F/A-18A/B Hornet. The F-35A Lightning II, in concert with the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the E/A-18G Growler, is a potent air combat capability that provides the Royal Australian Air Force with critical air combat power to meet Australia's needs beyond 2030.