Maritime-strike aircraft instead of warships
Australia should look at longer-range aircraft to deter hostile navies.
Currently Australia relies on 72 x 5th Generation F-35 and 24 x 4th generation F/A-18 F for air defence. This is a substantial force but it is relatively short range for Australia and is concentrated in a few easily-destroyed bases. We are totally dependent on the USA to keep this force flying.
Below are the modern long-range aircraft options for Australia.
| Option | Dependency | Combat radius* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-BAT UCAV | USA but maybe manufactured here? | 1,800 km or 3,700 km if used as a missile | In development. Launch from anywhere – runway independent |
| Ghost Bat MQ-28 UCAV | USA but mostly manufactured here already (8 built) | 1,800 km or 3,700 km if used as a missile | Designed to accompany crewed fighters. Needs a runway. |
| GCAP | UK, Japan, Italy | 1,800 km | In development |
| F-47 | USA | 1,800 km | In development – probably not available to Australia |
| B-21 | USA | 5,000 km | Probably not available to Australia |
| Su-57M | Russia | 1,500 km | Not an option due to Russia’s war with Europe |
| J20, J36, etc. | China | Not considered |
The X-BAT UCAV
The X-BAT is a radical new AI-piloted Uncrewed Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) being proposed by Shield AI.
Could these be manufactured in Australia?
This UCAV launches and lands vertically so needs no runway. This is a great advantage as runways would be destroyed early in a modern conflict. X-BATs could be launched from Australia’s islands if necessary to add range.
The X-BAT doesn’t need to carry heavy and complex undercarriage.
Other key features include:
- Modular construction
- High stealth
- Over 3,700 km total range
- Could be used as a missile for high-value targets
- Large weapons capacity
- First flight 2026
- Production 2029
See also:
- The Rise of the X-BAT (The Warzone)
- Shield AI’s new X-BAT fighter-drone could change air warfare forever (Sandboxx on Youtube)
- A combat aircraft that doesn’t need vulnerable Western Pacific air bases (ASPI)
GCAP: The Global Combat Air Programme
The GCAP is a collaboration between the UK, Japan & Italy to develop a modern fighter with twice the payload and three times the range of the F-35.
Aircraft hidden in multiple bases around Australia can provide a more survivable deterrent to hostile superpowers than slow moving frigates with limited magazines.
Australia will need long-range stealth aircraft to penetrate the defences of hostile fleets.
The GCAP Tempest is being designed to fulfil this role. Australia should join the project now to ensure Australia’s range and payload requirements are accommodated and to see if parts can be manufactured in some Australian electorates.
The first flight of the Tempest demonstrator is expected to take place by the end of 2027.
American F-47 & B-21
These are problematic as Australia would be required to support US-Israeli actions in Palestine, Venezuela, Canada and Greenland. There are also problems with other issues such as Republican opposition to renewables, vaccines, non-white migration, etc.
These aircraft could never be manufactured in Australia and would be difficult to maintain here.
- Proposed F-47 NGAD fighter. Unlikely to be available to Australia and/or have major strings attached.
- B-21 stealth bomber. These could be based in central or southern Australia and provide anti-ship coverage of the whole continent and maritime zone without refuelling. Unlikely to be available and/or have major strings attached.
Russian aircraft
A sudden change in leadership in Russia may make this an option. Any new leadership in Moscow could be looking to quickly find markets for it’s military equipment if it wanted to stop the war with Europe without collapsing Russia’s war-focussed economy.
- Su-57M. Impressive range with internal fuel and weapons. Well suited to anti-ship role, not so much for penetrating other nations air defences – which we don’t want to do anyway. The ‘M’ variant adds stealthier exhaust, new engines and other upgrades. Indonesia may buy them.
- Su-34M. A 4++th gen fighter-bomber with no stealth but long range. May be adequate for anti-ship role. Major recent upgrades.
Russian aircraft are well suited for the many austere airfields scattered around Australia. Note that Russia was offering to let India build Su-57 under licence. This might be an option for Australia. We may want to mix the Sukhoi airframe with other avionics.
Chinese aircraft
- Not considered at this stage
Europe, Türkiye & South Korea
Besides the GCAP, no other suitable advanced long-range aircraft as yet.
Most fighters from these countries are designed for short-range combat missions.