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Australia has purchased 24 Boeing Super Hornet fighter jets for $4.6 billion (U.S.), according to the country's defense minister, Dr. Brendan Nelson. The planes will fulfill the fighter-bomber role now handled by aging F-111s after 2010, and ahead of the arrival of Lockheed F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs). The JSF is a supersonic multirole aircraft. Its development has been funded by an international consortium led by the United States and includes Britain, Australia and Canada.

Nelson has reportedly decided to opt for the Super Hornet without a detailed study of alternative aircraft types such as the longer-range F-15E Strike Eagle, or more advanced air superiority options such as the Eurofighter Typhoon. Despite its name, the Super Hornet is a larger aircraft that offers only 25% to 30% commonality with the Australian Air Force's existing Hornets; it does, however, share the same support structure.

The two-seat F/A-18F sacrifices some range, carrying only 13,350 pounds of fuel — 900 fewer pounds than the F/A-18E. This enables adding a second crewman with an advanced attack station cockpit to assist in strike roles.

The plans are for this Super Hornet program to use local contractor owned and operated intermediate maintenance and training for aircrew and support personnel. In addition, the supply chain infrastructure, warehousing and operation will be manned locally in support of both Australian and U.S. Navy Super Hornets in the region.

Though Nelson said that Australia remains fully committed to the JSF, the government is not prepared to accept any risk to air combat and strike capability during the transition to the JSF. Nelson added that The JSF is the most suitable aircraft for Australia's future combat and strike needs. They plan to buy up to 100 of the F-35s, starting in 2015, making it the largest military procurement project in Australian history.

Though the 240-billion U.S. dollar JSF project has faced a string of problems, the F-35 Lightning II made a successful first test flight last December. The U.S. Defense Department plans to buy 2400 of the fighters and international sales is expected to account for another 2000 to 3500 aircraft.