Strategic NewsTo lift capacity and save money, shift some fighter training to turboprops
To lift capacity and save money, shift some fighter training to turboprops
John Torcasio / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Toward Programme

To lift capacity and save money, shift some fighter training to turboprops

ASPI The Strategist Institutional·2026-09-08AUS DefenceP3: Industrial BaseP6: Defence Surge
Why it matters

The article identifies a real capacity gap in RAAF fighter-pilot production and proposes a cost-efficient solution (turboprop LIFT) that aligns with modern air-combat realities. If adopted, this increases pilot throughput and reduces training costs, directly supporting Industrial Base (Pillar 3) and Maritime Defence operational posture (Pillar 6).

Read the original report at ASPI The Strategist

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Where this sits in the model

This development bears on 2 of the eight pillars of Australian preparedness — the overall picture right now is 5/100.

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Every story here is scored against eight pillars — defence, energy, industry, fiscal reform, alliances and more — companion to the book Unprepared: Australia in an Age of Chinese Power.

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