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Sikorsky Australia, has been awarded a new three-year contract worth AU$313.5 million to continue its long-standing maintenance and sustainment partnership with the Royal Australian Navy to support the MH-60R Romeo Seahawk helicopter fleet.
The sustainment contract will create over 75 new jobs in Nowra at Sikorsky Australia’s maintenance and logistics support facility, building on its existing workforce of 200.
As part of this, the company will expand its team of aircraft maintenance engineers, logisticians and skilled aviation technicians to support the RAN’s growing fleet, which is set to increase from 23 to 36 MH-60R Seahawks by the end of 2026.
A strong commitment to workforce development remains central to Sikorsky Australia’s strategy, with apprenticeship and traineeship programs making up approximately 20 per cent of its maintenance workforce. These initiatives play a crucial role in ensuring the company is well-positioned to meet future operational demands.
Warren McDonald, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand chief executive, welcomed the contract extension, stating, “We are proud to be extending our partnership with the Royal Australian Navy.”
To support the growing fleet size, Sikorsky Australia will expand its regional supply chain of 60 small-to-medium enterprises by more than 50 per cent, strengthening sustainment operations across the program.
“For over 30 years, Sikorsky Australia has proudly sustained the Royal Australian Navy’s Seahawks and the Australian Army’s Black Hawk helicopters while steadily building its sovereign industrial base,” McDonald added.
Integrated with the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm, Sikorsky Australia will continue providing through-life sustainment support for the MH-60R Seahawks, including maintenance, training, warehousing, supply and engineering services, both on base and during deployments.
“This contract reinforces the enduring partnership between Sikorsky Australia and the Royal Australian Navy to successfully sustain the Seahawks – a world-class maritime platform with unparalleled anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities, supporting Australia, the US Navy and allied navies worldwide,” McDonald said.
Cliff Kyle, Sikorsky Australia general manager, expressed his pride in the partnership, stating, “Our workforce is deeply honoured to partner with the Royal Australian Navy and to be continually entrusted with sustaining the Seahawk fleet.
“The follow-on contract is a testament to the strong partnership Sikorsky Australia has built with the RAN in delivering sustainment services with excellence to optimise fleet availability for maritime operations.”
Kyle added, “This contract recognises the important work delivered to date, which underpins the success of Seahawks in operational theatres.”
The contract further strengthens Sikorsky Australia’s position as a regional sustainment hub, following its successful completion of the first-ever deep maintenance activity on a US Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter in 2023 in collaboration with the Australian and US Navies.
The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter provides the Royal Australian Navy with a world-leading anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, bringing advanced capabilities to navies worldwide. Built on four decades of Seahawk expertise, the aircraft features cutting-edge digital sensors, including:
- Multi-mode radar, electronic support measures, electro-optical/infrared camera, datalinks and aircraft survivability systems.
- Advanced sonar and sonobuoy systems for undersea warfare.
- A fully integrated mission system that processes sensor data to create a comprehensive operational picture of the ocean surface and subsea domain.
- A weapons suite that includes torpedoes, air-to-ground missiles, rockets and crew-served guns, enabling effective engagement of surface and subsurface threats.
With its proven operational effectiveness, the MH-60R Seahawk remains a critical asset in safeguarding Australia’s maritime security and enhancing allied naval operations worldwide.
