COMBET INSPECTS ROBERTSON BARRACKS

Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement visited Robertson Barracks in Darwin today where he met Defence personnel and received briefings on a number of Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) projects.

During the visit, Mr Combet was given a tour of the 1st Armoured Regiment including its Abrams Tanks which were acquired as part of the DMO’s Tank Replacement Project.

The project delivered 59 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, seven M88A2 Hercules armoured recovery vehicles, 14 heavy tank transporters, eight fuel trucks, seven advanced simulation systems and a logistics support package of spare parts, ammunition, facilities and initial training.

Mr Combet’s tour of Robertson Barracks also included a tour of the 1st Aviation Regiment who recently received their first three ‘Tiger’ Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARHs) into their purpose built facilities.

“A total of 22 ARHs, a high technology support system and a suite of training devices including flight simulators, will be delivered to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under a DMO managed project valued at $2 billion.  17 Tiger helicopters will be based in Darwin,” Mr Combet said.

After touring Robertson Barracks, Mr Combet said he was very impressed by the personnel he had met in Darwin during his two day visit. 

“My visit to Darwin has provided me with an important opportunity to meet with DMO, ADF and industry personnel responsible for successfully sustaining some of Australia’s most important capabilities,” Mr Combet said. 

“The ADF’s ongoing operational success depends on the operation of the DMO, so it’s essential that the DMO provides high quality equipment on schedule and within budget and then sustains it,” he added.

Still imagery will be available at http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/index.cfm

Media contacts:

Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):                02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619

Defence Media Liaison:                     02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664