While most Australians were relaxing during the Christmas break, on December 28 Defence Minister Linda Reynolds made an announcement of considerable significance: the RAAF have concluded that their F-35A aircraft are combat-ready. More formally known as achieving Initial Operational Capability, this is a statement that they can be deployed on active operations.
This does not mean that they are at 100% of their capability – that is expected to come in 2023 – but that they are good enough in their current state to be sent in harm’s way.
Different air forces – and indeed different service chiefs – can have divergent views on what represents IOC. The first service to make such a declaration about their F-35s was the U.S. Marine Corps operating the B variant way back in July 2015. ...MORE
