A $600 million dollar fighter jet deal is expected to bring hundreds jobs to Queensland.
Boeing Defence has signed a five year contract to repair and upgrade the Super Hornet and Growler fleets for the Royal Australian Air Force.
The contract will help to ensure that RAAF Base Amberley’s fighter jet program will continue until 2030.
90 per cent of the contract will be spent in Australia primarily in the South East.
It is likely to create 350 highly skilled jobs to areas such as Ipswich.
The Air Combat and Electronic Attack Sustainment Contract with Boeing Defence Australia commenced on 1 July 2016 for an initial period of 5 years. This is the second contract extension, taking the overall contract value to $1.2 billion.
The contract extension comes as the EA-18G Growler Airborne Electronic Attack capability reaches final operational capability.
Operated by No. 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, the Airborne Electronic Attack capability is comprised of 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft, the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System and the AGM-88 series of anti-radiation missiles.
An Air Force EA-18G Growler aircraft dumps its flares during a handling display at Nobby’s Beach during the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023. Supplied.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said that this announcement is great news for my electorate of Blair, and it shows the Albanese Government is shoring up Australia’s national security and keeping Australians safe, while backing local defence industry jobs.
“This contract with Boeing Defence Australia will ensure more than 350 highly skilled jobs are retained at RAAF Base Amberley in my electorate until 2030, and more than 90% of the $600 million contract value is spent primarily in southeast Queensland.
“It underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to our local defence industry, securing jobs for people at RAAF Base Amberley for years to come, and ensures the Ipswich region’s future as a defence industry hub,” Mr Neumann said.
