D efence
4.4 hectares of land on Astra Aerolab – Australia’s Premier Defence and Aerospace Precinct, which offers airside access to RAAF Williamtown and Newcastle Airport. The agreement sees Astra Aerolab providing a full range of property services, including future development of facilities on the precommitment land.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS IN THE PACIFIC
Once delivered, the USN EA-18G is set to be modified by the Royal Australian Air Force, joining the bespoke Indo-Pacific Endeavour 21 EA-18G Growler fleet. (IPE21) is Australia’s flagship regional engagement activity, reinforcing Australia’s strong BAE SYSTEMS and enduring partnerships AUSTRALIA in Southeast Asia. Centred TO EXPAND on a maritime task group, FOOTPRINT AT IPE21 involved HMA Ships NEWCASTLE’S Canberra and Anzac and ASTRA AEAROLAB approximately 700 people, i n c l u d i n g A u s t r a l i a n In a significant show Defence Force and civilian o f c o n f i d e n c e i n A s t r a defence personnel, and Aerolab and the Defence sea riders from partner and Aerospace industry at nations. Engagements were Williamtown, BAE Systems modified in response to the A u s t r a l i a h a s r e c e n t l y COVID-19 pandemic and strengthened its position as were carried out primarily one of the leading defence through contactless port and security companies by visits, and included a range securing a pre-commitment of virtual workshops and at- to expand its presence at Newcastle Airport’s Defence sea activities. estate.
RAN TO BOLSTER SEAHAWK HELICOPTER FLEET
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The Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of Seahawk helicopters are tipped to bolster antisurface and anti-submarine warfare capability, while also supporting the execution of vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and communications relay missions.
The Seahawk is equipped with a sophisticated combat systems designed to employ Hellfire air-to-surface Australia’s $1.3 billion request missiles and the Mark 54 to enhance its Sikorsky MH- anti-submarine torpedo. 60R combat helicopter fleet Some reports have has been approved. suggested the fleet has The US State Department has expanded in response to greenlit the Commonwealth technical issues associated government’s request to with the Airbus-built MH-90 purchase an additional Taipan helicopters, deployed 12 MH-60R Multi-Mission by both Navy and Army. (Seahawk) helicopters from Lockheed Martin subsidiary LOCAL FIRM Sikorsky for approximately WINS $100M DEAL US$985 million ($1.3 billion).
The deal, which will take the total size of the fleet to 36, includes the provision of spare engines, radars, targeting systems, rocket and missile launchers, sensors, missile warning systems, G P S t e c h n o l o g y, a n d US APPROVES BAE Systems, which employs electronic countermeasures. GROWLER SALE TO around 5,000 people across Australia, has signed a 34ADF year extension on its current Australia’s request to replace lease at Newcastle Airport a damaged EA-18G Growler and has also entered into a has been formally approved new pre-commitment for up to by the US State Department. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has confirmed the sale of a Boeing-built US Navy EA18G aircraft to Australia for an estimated US$125 million ($170.8 million).
US contractors are also expected to provide engineering, training and logistics support services.
TO DEVELOP WEAPONS RANGE
An Indigenous-owned construction company has been tapped to develop new facilities at a RAAF bombing range. C o n s t r u c t i o n f i r m Ti w i Partners has been awarded
