Every Australian Military Aircraft — Complete List
Australia has operated 76 distinct aircraft types across its military history — 22 still in active service and 54 retired or former.
Service status76 types
Fighters & Combat Aircraft
9 types
F-35 Lightning II
Status In service Service entry2013
F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet
Status In service Service entry2001
Air Tractor AT-802
Status Retired Service entry1991
F/A-18 Hornet
Status Retired Service entry1983
F-111 Aardvark
Status Retired Service entry1967
F-4 Phantom II
Status Retired Service entry1962
Mirage III / 5 / 50
Status Retired Service entry1961
A-4 Skyhawk
Status Retired Service entry1956
F-86 Sabre
Status Retired Service entry1949Military Helicopters
20 types
EC665 Tiger
Status In service Service entry2002
H135M / EC365
Status In service Service entry1996
AH-64 Apache
Status In service Service entry1984
UH-60 Black Hawk
Status In service Service entry1979
CH-47 Chinook
Status In service Service entry1962
NH90 / Caiman
Status Retired Service entry2004
AW139
Status Retired Service entry2003
H125M / AS550 Fennec
Status Retired Service entry1990
SH-60 Seahawk
Status Retired Service entry1984
Bell 412
Status Retired Service entry1981
AW109
Status Retired Service entry1976
Bell 214
Status Retired Service entry1972
OH-58 Kiowa
Status Retired Service entry1969
206 JetRanger
Status Retired Service entry1967
Westland Scout
Status Retired Service entry1963
SH-2 Seasprite
Status Retired Service entry1962
SA316 Alouette III
Status Retired Service entry1961
Wessex
Status Retired Service entry1961
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"
Status Retired Service entry1959
Bell 47
Status Retired Service entry1946Transport & Tanker Aircraft
19 types
Airbus A330 MRTT
Status In service Service entry2011
Falcon 7X
Status In service Service entry2007
C-27J Spartan
Status In service Service entry2006
C-17 Globemaster III
Status In service Service entry1993
Boeing 737
Status In service Service entry1968
C-130 Hercules
Status In service Service entry1956
GippsAero GA8 Airvan
Status Retired Service entry2000
Airbus A330
Status Retired Service entry1994
BAe 146
Status Retired Service entry1983
GAF Nomad
Status Retired Service entry1975
C-212 Aviocar
Status Retired Service entry1974
Fairchild Metroliner
Status Retired Service entry1972
DHC-6 Twin Otter
Status Retired Service entry1966
Falcon 20
Status Retired Service entry1965
DHC-4 Caribou
Status Retired Service entry1961
HS 748
Status Retired Service entry1961
PC-6 Porter
Status Retired Service entry1960
F27 Friendship
Status Retired Service entry1958
Douglas DC-3
Status Retired Service entry1936Special Mission Aircraft
11 types
P-8 Poseidon
Status In service Service entry2013
E-7 Wedgetail
Status In service Service entry2010
EA-18G Growler
Status In service Service entry2009
King Air 350
Status In service Service entry1990
King Air 90
Status Retired Service entry1964
P-3 Orion
Status Retired Service entry1962
Boeing 707
Status Retired Service entry1958
KC-135 Stratotanker
Status Retired Service entry1957
S-2 Tracker
Status Retired Service entry1954
Fairey Gannet
Status Retired Service entry1953
DHC-2 Beaver
Status Retired Service entry1948Trainers
7 types
Pilatus PC-21
Status In service Service entry2008
Gulfstream G550
Status In service Service entry2004
Hawk
Status In service Service entry1976
CT/4 Airtrainer
Status Retired Service entry1973
Mudry CAP 10
Status Retired Service entry1970
MB-326K
Status Retired Service entry1962
DHC-3 Otter
Status Retired Service entry1953Unmanned Aircraft
10 types
MQ-4 Triton
Status In service Service entry2018
RQ-21 Blackjack
Status In service Service entry2014
MQ-28 Ghost Bat
Status Retired Service entry2024
S-100 Camcopter
Status Retired Service entry2010
Elbit Skylark
Status Retired Service entry2008Wasp III
Status Retired Service entry2007
IAI Heron
Status Retired Service entry2005
ScanEagle
Status Retired Service entry2005
RQ-7 Shadow
Status Retired Service entry2002MQM-107 Streaker
Status Retired Service entry1984Other National Fleets
National fleets — aircraft in service by country
- 🇺🇸 United States · all-time
- 🇷🇺 Russia · all-time
- 🇨🇳 China · all-time
- 🇮🇳 India · all-time
- 🇰🇷 South Korea · all-time
- 🇯🇵 Japan · all-time
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan · all-time
- 🇰🇵 North Korea · all-time
- 🇪🇬 Egypt · all-time
- 🇹🇷 Turkey · all-time
- 🇫🇷 France · all-time
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · all-time
- 🇮🇹 Italy · all-time
- 🇹🇼 Taiwan · all-time
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · all-time
- 🇮🇷 Iran · all-time
- 🇬🇷 Greece · all-time
- 🇩🇿 Algeria · all-time
- 🇩🇪 Germany · all-time
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · all-time
- 🇮🇱 Israel · all-time
- 🇧🇷 Brazil · all-time
- 🇪🇸 Spain · all-time
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia · all-time
- 🇵🇱 Poland · all-time
- 🇮🇶 Iraq · all-time
- 🇦🇺 Australia · all-time
- 🇨🇦 Canada · all-time
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine · all-time
- 🇦🇷 Argentina · all-time
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft types has the Australia military ever operated?
Australia has operated 76 distinct aircraft types across its history and current inventory, including 22 still in active service and 54 retired or former types.
Does this list include retired Australia military aircraft?
Yes. This page covers every aircraft type the country has operated — past, present, and future — with a green In service, blue Entering service, or grey Retired status badge on each tile. For the current-only fleet, see the in-service listicle.
What about prototypes and test aircraft?
This page tracks operational service types. Pure prototypes, X-planes and test aircraft that never entered squadron service are not included.