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The Australian Defence Force is rolling out low-carbon liquid fuel blends across its network, aiming to reduce reliance on crude oil, strengthen sovereign fuel security, and improve operational resilience.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has begun expanding the use of low-carbon liquid fuels (LCLF) across its fuel network as part of a broader effort to strengthen energy security and operational readiness.
The initiative introduces aviation and diesel fuels containing synthetic and renewable components at Defence fuel installations nationwide, aligning with the 2026 National Defence Strategy’s focus on improving energy resilience.
LCLFs can be produced from sources including canola, sugar cane, waste oils and forestry residues rather than crude oil. Importantly for Defence, they are chemically equivalent to conventional fuels and can be used as “drop-in” replacements without modifications to existing ADF equipment.
Director General Fuel Capability Brigadier Mark Baldock, speaking to Corporal Michael Rogers, said diversifying Defence’s fuel sources would strengthen Australia’s sovereign capability.
“Supporting domestic renewable fuel production strengthens Australia’s sovereign capability. These demonstrations are an important step toward building a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Defence,” BRIG Baldock said.
Defence has already conducted certification and platform demonstrations involving renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, including during Exercise Talisman Sabre and the Avalon Airshow.
Commander Steve Cole of the Defence Energy Transition Office, speaking to CPL Rogers, said the focus was on ensuring Defence could adopt domestically produced fuels as they became available. “Australia is increasingly looking to be self-sufficient, so the focus at DETO is making sure that Defence is prepared to use these fuels as they become available,” CMDR Cole said.
All ADF aviation and land platforms are now certified to operate using LCLF, with RAAF Base East Sale and the Army Aviation Training Centre already using blended fuels. Certification of the remaining maritime platforms is nearing completion.
Defence has also established the Defence Fuels Qualification Centre in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Group. The centre will support fuel qualification and testing, promote standards awareness and strengthen collaboration with industry to help develop sovereign fuel production capability.
The initiative could provide Defence with greater resilience against disruptions to global fuel supply chains while also supporting Australia’s emerging renewable fuels industry.
For the ADF, the emphasis is increasingly on ensuring energy security is treated as a core element of military readiness, rather than simply an environmental consideration. Diversifying the sources of aviation and diesel fuel could give Australia greater flexibility to sustain operations during periods of geopolitical tension or disrupted global supply.
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