Australian Defence Force expands low-carbon fuel use across bases

The Australian Defence Force has started introducing low carbon liquid fuel blends at fuel installations across the country, with the Royal Australian Air Force named as an early adopter. The move is described as part of a wider effort to strengthen national fuel resilience and ties into Australia's 2026 National Defence Strategy, which emphasizes energy security and operational readiness.

RAAF Base East Sale and the Army Aviation Training Centre are already operating on the blended fuel, according to the Defence Energy Transition Office. All Australian Defence Force aviation assets are now certified to use the low carbon liquid fuel, the office said, with certification work including demonstrations at Exercise Talisman Sabre and the Avalon Air Show, where sustainable aviation fuel was trialled on operational platforms.

Brigadier Mark Baldock, Director General Fuel Capability, said diversifying fuel sources is important for strengthening Defence's energy security. He also said backing domestic renewable fuel production supports Australia's sovereign capability, calling the recent trials a step toward a more resilient energy future for the Defence organisation.

Commander Steve Cole, a policy adviser at the Defence Energy Transition Office, said adopting the low carbon fuel is becoming increasingly likely as Australia pursues greater self-sufficiency. He added that the office's priority has been making sure Defence can use such fuels as supply grows.

The fuels are produced from non-crude sources such as canola oil, sugar cane, waste oils and forestry residue. Because they are chemically similar to conventional fossil fuels, they can reportedly be used as direct replacements without requiring changes to existing aircraft or equipment.