Paint that makes F

A $100-million aircraft-coating facility will be built at the Royal Australian Air Force base at Williamtown, New South Wales to help make fighter jets "nearly invisible" to enemies.

It will be the first time the top-secret paint, developed by the United States, will be applied in Australia.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the paint used on F-35A Lightning II fighter jets made them among the most elusive planes on the planet, because it was able to absorb radar waves rather than reflect them.

"The F-35 is the most advanced fighter jet in the world for two reasons," he said.

"Its stealthiness – the ability to be nearly invisible on radar – [and] secondly its networked ability, the way it works and networks with other fighter aircraft … whether it's a Wedgetail radar aircraft or an air warfare destroyer.

"That's contingent on it being modified and upgraded consistently, and that will be done here."

The paint's chemical make-up is a closely guarded secret in the US.

Williamtown-based business BAE Systems, already tasked with maintaining and repairing the 63-strong fleet of F-35A aircraft in Australia, will run the facility.

"We've had a really strong and deep partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force supporting a range of their capabilities here at Williamtown for almost three decades now," chief executive Ben Hudson said.

"We've got a lot of opportunities for the future for young Australians to participate in really one of the highest technology industries in the world and contribute to the national security of the country."

Mr Conroy said the expansion of fighter jet activity at the Williamtown base would make the Hunter Valley the defence hub of the nation.

"There's about 100,000 jobs in Australia that are dependent on the defence industry and a big chunk of them are in the Hunter," he said.

"Whether it's the work being done here [at Williamtown], building the minesweepers down at Carrington, building blocks for the air warfare destroyer at Tomago.

"We've got a great legacy."

Federal MP for Paterson Meryl Swanson said Williamtown's role in the defence landscape would continue to strengthen.

"We are creating history here at Williamtown," she said.

"Not only for our brilliant region and not only for our country, but also for all of those other countries that share the rule of law, that share democracy."

Construction of the facility is due to begin in 2024.

Editor's note 16/08/2023: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated it will be the first time the paint will be applied outside of the United States. The Williamtown facility will be the first place in Australia able to apply the paint.