The Royal Australian Air Force is intensifying its lobbying for an order of 100 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightnings, a number that has received official endorsement but could be scaled back next year. An initial Australian order is expected after the release of a defense white paper in 2009. The choice of the F-35 as Australia's next fighter is defended by the chief of the air force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin. He argues it will be part of an integrated has encountered delays in developing the electronics-which include an active electronically scanned radar and advanced radio detection equipment-but the RAAF says it cannot afford less capability than it has specified, indicating that the six aircraft on order are at the heart of its planning.
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