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Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy and South Australian Treasurer Stephen Mullighan have announced work has begun on a four-bay aircraft hangar in northern Adelaide to support the ADF’s Boeing 737 variant military aircraft.
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The $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) includes a 240-metre long, 60-metre wide, 25-metre high, four-bay hangar to be built adjacent to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Edinburgh, with construction to be overseen by the South Australian state government.
Minister Conroy said, “This $200 million, state-of-the-art facility will allow us to maintain, repair and overhaul RAAF aircraft in north Adelaide, reducing our reliance on offshore maintenance services.”
This project will enable the long-term deep maintenance and modification of the Australian Defence Force’s fleet of 737-sized aircraft, including P8-A maritime patrol aircraft and E-7A Wedgetail aircraft.
“It means Australian aircraft will be maintained by Australian workers, using their skills to keep RAAF aircraft safely in the skies for years to come,” Minister Conroy added.
Stephen Mullighan, South Australian Treasurer and Minister for Defence and Space Industries, expanded on Minister Conroy’s statement, saying, “The state government has a proud history of directly investing in infrastructure to grow our defence industry and this project will see our state become the home of aircraft maintenance for this part of the RAAF fleet.”
The government expects that approximately 450 construction jobs will be generated during the two-year build, with the facility expected to support around 50 new highly skilled jobs including mechanical, avionics and structural engineers, painters and ground servicing equipment trades.
BESIX Watpac is leading the design and construction of the hangar that will include the four-bay aircraft hangar, offices, workshops, stores, amenities areas and plant rooms.
“Because of our investment, for the first time, the Defence Force will be able to modify and maintain its fleet of Boeing military aircraft on Australian soil,” Mullighan said.
Amy List, managing director Boeing Australia, added, “The maintenance, repair and overhaul programs to be undertaken in this facility will create more than 50 new Boeing jobs, present exciting opportunities to local business and enhance the unmatched capability of the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon fleet to further bolster Australia’s defence capacity and readiness.”
Mark Baker, CEO of BESIX Watpac, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with the state government for the first time to deliver the DMMF project – drawing on our extensive experience in delivering aviation and defence projects in South Australia.”
Once complete in mid-2026, the operational facility will enhance Australia’s sovereign capabilities and enable maintenance and modifications to be carried out in Australia rather than sending the planes offshore.
The new 2.1-hectare purpose-built facility will be built on the 16-hectare parcel of land owned by the South Australian government, with a tow way to connect the project area to RAAF base Edinburgh.
