Australia’s A$2.4B Air 6500 Links Destroyers and F-35As in One Missile Defense Network

Australia detailed an A$2.4 billion, six-year Air 6500 investment covering new facilities at RAAF Base Darwin, deployable command vehicles and the Joint Air Battle Management System. Lockheed Martin Australia's A$1.32 billion contract supports development and sustainment of JABMS, which will combine sensors, weapons and command elements across multiple domains. The network is intended to connect assets including Hobart-class destroyers, F-35A fighters and future medium-range ground-based air defenses within a shared operating picture. Darwin construction is expected to begin by mid-2027 and finish in late 2029, subject to parliamentary approval.