Feature: Australia deepens air power investment to support integrated and denied operations

Under the 2026 NDS and IIP, Australia plans to invest AUD64–80 billion to strengthen air combat capabilities. (Source: Australia National Defence Strategy (NDS) and Integrated Investment Program (IIP)/Janes)

The Australian government has detailed new investments in its 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and Integrated Investment Program (IIP) to enhance the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF's) ability to support integrated operations.

The documents – released in April 2026 – build on Australia's earlier enhancements to expeditionary air power, detailed in the 2024 NDS and IIP. The latest documents continue the government's “structured approach of identifying the capabilities we need and funding them appropriately”, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said in a joint statement.

According to the 2026 NDS and IIP, the Australian government plans to invest between AUD64 billion (USD45 billion) and AUD80 billion to enhance its aviation capabilities. This amounts to around 19% of the AUD425 billion in planned investments that the Australian government has committed over the next 10 years to modernise the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The increases are part of an overall AUD14 billion in additional funding planned over the next four years, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) said. An additional AUD53 billion will be invested over the decade, through defence funding, estate modernisation, and alternative financing where appropriate, the DoD added.

The air-related investment includes the acquisition and sustainment of aircraft and aircraft-launched weapons, upgrades to airbases in northern Australia, and critical infrastructure such as air command and air traffic management systems, as well as continued investment in the Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) being developed under Project Air 6500 Phase 1.