Government Aircraft Factories

The Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) was an Australian government-owned company established in July 1939 at Fisherman’s Bend, Melbourne. GAF designed, developed, produced, and marketed aircraft for Australian and international markets.

Historically, GAF built several aircraft under license, including the Bristol Beaufort bomber, Bristol Beaufighter multi-role fighter, Avro Lincoln bomber, and the English Electric Canberra jet bomber.

GAF’s notable indigenous products included the GAF Jindivik remote-controlled target drone and the GAF Nomad transport aircraft, as well as the Malkara and Ikara missiles.

GAF was abolished in October 1987 and replaced by Aerospace Technologies of Australia Pty Ltd (ASTA), which was eventually acquired by Boeing Australia. It does not have current products under the GAF name.