defence awards $201m AP-3C Orion Deeper maintenance contract to australian aerospace

The Australian Government this week signed a nine year contract worth $201 million with Australian Aerospace for deeper maintenance (the 12 monthly and five yearly maintenance, which requires very specific skills and specialist equipment) of our RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft, based at RAAF Richmond (NSW) and RAAF Edinburgh (SA). 

AP-3C aircraft are critical to Australia’s national and international maritime patrol reconnaissance and strike capability and play a significant role in Australian border protection and in operations in the Middle East and other parts of the world. 

A nine year contract, extending through to the planned withdrawal of the aircraft in 2015, provides certainty, giving Australian Aerospace the incentive to invest in local capability.  Consequently, this contract represents a significant investment in Australian skills. 

At present, there are around 140 Australians working on AP-3C Orion maintenance at RAAF Richmond and RAAF Edinburgh.  It is estimated this contract will result in around 10 new skilled positions at RAAF Richmond and around 40 new skilled positions at RAAF Edinburgh.  This would include further opportunities for apprentices and graduate engineers. 

Importantly, this new contract establishes management arrangements to integrate and coordinate AP-3C maintenance with around $600 million of upgrades, creating the strong potential for further investment in skills and local Defence capability. 

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