
This official news release uses Oz dollars (12.4 Bil for 58): http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2014 ... apability/
Australia to Buy 58 More F-35 Jets, Scaling Back Initial Plan [not true but 'newspapers online' gotta eat]
23 Apr 2014 Jason Scott
"...The U.S. ally is ordering 58 of the Lockheed Martin Corp.- made aircraft for A$12.4 billion ($11.6 billion)...
...A 2009 policy paper commissioned by the previous Labor government confirmed Australia planned to equip its air force with about 100 F-35s.
The 72 [2+12+58] aircraft are expected to be fully operational by 2023, Abbott said today. Australia is retaining the option of purchasing a further squadron of 18 [+72=90] Joint Strike Fighters, he said...."
[The OFFICIAL news release cited above says only 'squadron' without a number - generally it has always been assumed that the total buy will be 'up to 100' or '100'.]
Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/ ... e-fighters