The F-35 joint strike fighter jets

ABOUT THE F-35 LIGHTNING II STRIKE FIGHTER JETS:

* Touted as the most advanced planes in the world, supersonic and almost invisible to radar detectors

* Conceived for the US and its allies

* One plane built in three models: a conventional version for the air force, a short-takeoff and vertical-landing version for the marines, and a carrier-suitable version for the navy

* Designed to perform ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, and air defence missions

* Pilots wear helmets that offer a 360 degree view of what is happening around them via six cameras around the plane, allowing them to share information with allied pilots and to tell friend from foe

* Called the most expensive military weapons system in history

* Manufacturer Lockheed Martin has been criticised for spiralling costs over the past decade

* As jets are being built concurrently with design and testing, numerous flaws have created expensive obstacles to be surmounted

* Criticised for numerous problems, such as ineffective ejector seats, a too-small weapons capability, inability to out-manoeuvre the older F-16s in a dogfight, stealth coating peeling off at high speeds, inability to fly during lightning storms due to fuel tank flaws that could cause an explosion, and software issues

* Australia will receive its first two jets in 2018, with another 70 to soon follow and the potential to buy 100 in total

* One jet currently costs $US108 million, by 2018 cost should be reduced to $US85 million

* Other partner nations include the UK, Italy, The Netherlands, Turkey, Israel, Norway, Denmark and Canada, although Canada has paused its purchase until more design problems are solved.