The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has begun rolling out low carbon liquid fuel (LCLF) blends across its network, with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) among the early adopters as part of a broader push to strengthen the country’s fuel resilience.
The initiative introduces aviation and diesel fuels containing synthetic components at fuel installations nationwide and aligns with Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy, which prioritizes energy security and operational readiness.
RAAF Base East Sale already running on blended fuel
RAAF Base East Sale is already using blended fuel, alongside the Army Aviation Training Centre, and all Australian Defence Force aviation assets are now certified to operate on LCLF, according to the Defence Energy Transition Office (DETO).
That certification work included demonstrations during Exercise Talisman Sabre and the Avalon Air Show, where sustainable aviation fuel was tested on operational platforms.
Officials cite energy security, sovereign fuel production
Brigadier Mark Baldock, Director General Fuel Capability, said diversifying fuel sources is essential to strengthening Defence’s energy security.
He said supporting domestic renewable fuel production also bolsters Australia’s sovereign capability, calling the recent demonstrations an important step toward a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Defence.
Commander Steve Cole, a policy adviser at DETO, said adopting LCLF was becoming inevitable as Australia moves toward greater self-sufficiency. He said DETO’s focus has been ensuring Defence is ready to use these fuels as they become more widely available.
Low carbon liquid fuels are produced from sources other than crude oil, including canola oil, sugar cane, waste oils, and forestry residue. Because they are chemically indistinguishable from fossil fuels, they can be used as drop-in replacements without requiring modifications to existing ADF aircraft or equipment.
Cole said much of the demonstration process has focused on helping maintainers, aircrews, planners, and decision-makers understand that these fuels meet the same specifications as conventional fuel, rather than requiring separate handling or infrastructure.
ADF completes aviation, land certification; sea platforms next
DETO has since shifted focus to formal certification across ADF platforms, a process designed to satisfy internal assurance requirements while also supporting interoperability with partner nations that are adopting similar low carbon fuels.
Beyond aviation, all ADF land assets are also now certified to operate on LCLF, with the Army Aviation Training Centre already using blended fuel. Certification of the remaining maritime platforms is nearing completion.
To support this transition, Defence has established the Defence Fuels Qualification Center in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Group. The center will focus on promoting fuel standards awareness, conducting qualification testing, and strengthening collaboration with industry to help build sovereign fuel production capacity in Australia.