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The newly announced aircraft hangar project in Adelaide could act as regional maintenance hub, according to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy.
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That hub could facilitate the maintenance of other aircraft such as those from the New Zealand Defence Force, Minister Conroy said during an interview with ABC Adelaide Breakfast on 5 September.
“We’re exploring it [linking with other users such as the NZDF]. We haven’t landed it yet, but they’re acquiring the same P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft,” the Minister for International Development and the Pacific said.
“So, there’ll be opportunities for this hangar to be a regional maintenance hub, not just servicing our aircraft, but servicing aircraft from countries like New Zealand, which is a win for the New Zealand … their aircraft back to the United States.
“And it results in more jobs and economic activity in Adelaide. It’s truly a win-win and you can do that when you’ve got all levels of government working together on projects like this.”
When pressed about whether the nations could rely on the United States for maintenance, Minister Conroy said the alliance is stronger than ever.
“They’re our cornerstone ally. Our alliance with them is stronger than ever. The point I was making is obviously a, you lose time by having to fly them over the United States to get them maintained and get them upgraded.
“And secondly, you’re naturally in a long queue of aircraft to be maintained. The United States run very large fleets of P-8 Poseidon aircraft, and they’re looking at acquiring the Wedgetail as well. So, we’ve got no close ally and from the United States.
“But obviously, if we can do this work in Australia, then that obviously gives us a bit more control over it and a bit more speed of doing it compared to transporting it to the United States. So, this is not a reflection on the alliance, but I think ... that anything that increases our sovereignty and independence is a good thing.”
Earlier this week, the federal government announced work had begun on the building of a giant four-bay aircraft hangar in northern Adelaide to facilitate the specialist maintenance of the Australian Defence Force’s Boeing 737 variant military aircraft.
The $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility will be built adjacent to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Edinburgh, with construction to be overseen by the state government.
The 240-metre-long, 60-metre-wide, 25-metre-high, four-bay hangar is almost 50 per cent longer than Adelaide Oval.
The 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.
Construction has already commenced and is forecast to be completed in mid-2026.
