Login
iscover
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has committed almost half a billion dollars for upgrades to four air bases across the country.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Major works would be commissioned at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases in Richmond in NSW, Amberley in Queensland, and Pearce in Western Australia, as well as Royal Australian Navy base HMAS Albatross in NSW, under a new $428 million commitment announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday (22 April).
The upgrades, tipped to generate approximately 600 jobs, include aircraft runway and pavement improvements.
This is expected to involve:
- resurfacing asphalt;
- replacing concrete and remediating contamination;
- replacing end of life electrical equipment and infrastructure associated with the provision of airfield lighting; and
- ensuring aviation safety and WHS requirements are met.
Works are scheduled to commence later this year, with an estimated completion date of late 2024.
“Our $270 billion defence investment is keeping Australians safe, building our sovereign defence capabilities and creating jobs while securing a strong economy and a stronger future,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“In these uncertain times, it’s vital that we take steps to invest in our defence force and ensure our ADF have the best technology and facilities, so that Australians are protected.”
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the works would ensure the ADF can effectively execute military operations in support of Australia’s national interests.
“Upgrades to these airfields will ensure that the men and women of the ADF can continue to provide the operational capability needed to keep our nation safe, whether that be Super Hornets and Growlers at Amberley, C-130 Hercules at Richmond, our pilot training at Pearce, or our Romeo Helicopters at Nowra.”
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price noted the benefits of the air base upgrades for the local industry.
“We are ensuring that local industry is prioritised and local tradies have the opportunity to work on this significant Defence investment,” she said.
“Small and medium businesses are key to supporting the local economy and over 1,000 small and medium businesses have been engaged on Defence capital infrastructure and facilities projects since 2019.”
This latest announcement comes just a day after Boeing Defence Australia was selected to lead a new $103 million Advanced Defence Aerospace Manufacturing Network.
The project – partly supported by $34 million in funding via the Collaboration Stream of the Modern Manufacturing Initiative – aims to incentivise local SMEs to manufacture, export and support the development of complete crewed and uncrewed defence aircraft.
This would involve facilitating access to global supply chains and creating an aerospace system manufacturers network by:
- establishing new facilities, including cyber security upgrades for each project partner;
- the procurement and commissioning of capital equipment needed to support the volume of manufacturing; and
- introducing partners to advanced technologies and new capabilities.
Boeing’s partners are expected to include Ferra Engineering, HeliMods, Naeco, RUAG Australia, Cablex, AME Systems and JRS Manufacturing Group.
The initiative is tipped to generate approximately 400 new local jobs in Brisbane and Melbourne, and more than 1,500 jobs across the country by 2024.
[Related: Boeing to lead new sovereign defence manufacturing project ]
