Australia begins hunt for next-gen lead-in fighter trainer to replace Hawk 127s
The Australian government will explore several financing models to fill trainer requirement. Canberra has reached out to airframers as it explores possibilities to replace the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF’s) fleet of BAE Systems Hawk 127 advanced jet trainers. Designated Project Air 6002, the lead-in fighter training system (LIFTS) effort calls for a new aircraft that will train pilots for types such as the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter, EA-18G Growler electronic attack jet, and the Lockheed Martin F-35A, according to an Australian government tender document. The requirement also is referred to as FLIF, for future lead-in fighter. The new aircraft will be required to enter service in the 2030s and help pilots develop skills ranging from general and instrument flying to air combat manoeuvres and integrating with other combat assets. "The system must have a sufficiently flexible architecture such that future capabilities can be introduced as future training requirements emerge," says the document. The aircraft could be acquired under several financial models including leasing, Foreign Military Sales, international cooperation, public private partnership, or working with foreign partners. The document does not list the number of aircraft to be obtained, or specifics about when the new type will attain initial and final operational capability. Cirium, an aviation analytics company, indicates that the RAAF operates 33 Hawk Mk-127s with an average age of 25.4 years. In April, the Australian Department of Defence's 2026 Integrated Investment Program document reiterated the need to replace the Hawks among other modernisation efforts. The replacement effort is likely to attract interest from companies such Boeing, Korea Aerospace Industries, and Leonardo.