The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is a technologically advanced, mid-tier air force, strong in key areas like 5th-gen fighters (F-35A), electronic warfare (Growlers), and maritime patrol (P-8A Poseidon), supported by robust tanker/transport fleets (KC-30A, C-17A), but faces challenges in scale and rapid expeditionary deployment compared to superpowers, relying on allied support for large operations while punching above its weight for its region and population.
The RAAF has transformed itself into a very capable small air force, built around advanced platforms and weapons. These include its three combat squadrons of fifth-generation F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, which are supported by a squadron of F/A-18F Super Hornets.
🇺🇸 United States The U.S. Air Force and Navy combined operate over 13,000 aircraft, making it the largest and most advanced air fleet in the world. With 183 F-22 Raptors, more than 450 F-35 Lightning II, 750+ F-16 Fighting Falcons, and hundreds of F-15s and A-10s, America maintains unmatched dominance.
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.
NASAMS is one of the world's most advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, combat-proven against large UAVs, helicopters, aircraft and cruise missiles. Australia's ground-based ballistic missile capabilities are, however, basically non-existent.
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.
Australia has received its full fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, with the final aircraft delivered in late 2024, forming the backbone of the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) air combat capability alongside Super Hornets and Growlers. While the current fleet is 72, there are discussions and potential plans to acquire more, possibly increasing the total to 100 aircraft in the future.
Australia's alliance with the United States of America is our most important defence relationship. It is central to Australia's strategic and security arrangements.
Australia's Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operates 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets (twin-seat, multi-role fighters) and 11 EA-18G Growlers (electronic warfare aircraft), complementing their newer F-35A fleet, with the older F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets having been retired by late 2021. The Super Hornets and Growlers are based at RAAF Base Amberley and provide key air combat and electronic attack capabilities.
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 United States has the strongest army in the world in 2025. This is based on defense budget, military technology, and global influence. Key highlights include: Highest defense spending (approx.
The United States Air Force (USAF) maintains its top position in the world with an outstanding margin.
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.
The F-35's Unrivaled Capabilities
More than a fighter jet, the F-35 is a force multiplier. Its unmatched ability to gather, process, and share data empowers joint forces, strengthens global partnerships, and keeps pilots ahead of emerging threats—all while helping them return home safely.
F-35A Lightning II.
Neither the Gripen nor the F-35 is definitively "better"; they excel in different areas, making the choice dependent on a nation's specific needs, but recent Canadian evaluations heavily favored the F-35 for overall capability, while the Gripen is often praised for lower cost, easier operation from dispersed bases, and superior electronic warfare (EW). The F-35 is a 5th-gen stealth fighter superior in sensor fusion and high-end warfare, while the Gripen E offers agility, lower operational costs, and robust EW/data-sharing, ideal for vast territories with dispersed operations.
Australia's most elite military unit is widely considered to be the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), often referred to as Australia's Tier 1 Special Forces, alongside the 2nd Commando Regiment, both operating under the Special Operations Command (SOCOMD). The SASR specializes in long-range reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism, while the 2nd Commando Regiment focuses on strike and recovery operations, with both units handling the most demanding missions.
Australia's biggest rival depends on the sport, but internationally, England (The Ashes in cricket) and New Zealand (Bledisloe Cup in rugby) are historic rivals, while India has emerged as a fierce modern cricket rival, and domestically, Queensland vs. New South Wales (State of Origin) is arguably the most intense rivalry. The rivalry with England in cricket is deeply cultural and historic, fueled by colonial roots, while the India rivalry is known for sheer intensity in cricket.
Global security relationships – Australia's relationship with NATO. Though Australia is not a NATO member, its ties to the organisation have grown as a result of ADF deployments to Afghanistan under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
Australia is a major non-NATO ally of the United States, and the two nations have held an annual meeting, the Australia–United States Ministerial Consultation, with one another most years since 1985.
AVALON AIR SHOW — The first of 28 new F-35 stealth fighters that were previously canceled by the incumbent government in Canberra could be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force as soon as 2029, should Australia go ahead with the order, according to an executive with plane maker Lockheed Martin.
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.
The 37 F-35 aircraft now in service represent a significant improvement in the warfighting capability of the UK's Armed Forces, with the ability to operate in high threat environments and to enhance the effectiveness of other UK defence platforms.