Join 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.
Other advanced long-range modern aircraft
A few other long-range 5th and 6th generation aircraft are planned or exist but they all have problems regarding:
- Availability to Australia
- Likely “strings attached” and ability of the providing country to effectively turn off the aircraft by withholding parts or an actual kill switch.
The GCAP program is less likely to face these problems.
USA
This is problematic as Australia would be required to support the MAGA agenda including re Palestine, seizure of Canada and Greenland, opposition to renewables and vaccines, etc.
- Proposed F-47 NGAD fighter
- 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.
| Note that Australia’s current defence is totally dependent on the existing US-supplied aircraft which are reliant on the continued drip feed of parts from the USA. |
Russia
Not an option while Russia is at war with Europe.
- Su-57M. See also this. Impressive range and internal weapons. Well suited to anti-ship role, not so much for penetrating other nations air defences (which we don’t want to do anyway)
- Su-34M. A 4th gen fighter-bomber with no stealth but long range. May be adequate for anti-ship role.
China
- Not an option at this stage
Europe, Türkiye & South Korea
No other suitable advanced long-range aircraft as yet.