Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the release of the Request for Tender (RFT) for maintenance support to the Hawk Lead-In-Fighter.

"The Hawk is the training aircraft for the ADF's fast jet pilots before they move on to the Classic Hornet or Super Hornet and the future Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)," Mr Clare said.

"The Hawk plays an important role in training our fighter pilots. It can carry a wide range of munitions similar to those carried by the Hornet aircraft," Mr Clare said.

The aircraft has a secondary role of providing training support to Navy, Army and Air Force operational capabilities

This contract will provide all aircraft, engine and training systems servicing.

Stationed at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales and RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia, the Hawk Lead-In Fighter Training System comprises 33 dual seat aircraft and associated systems, flight training devices, computer-based training system, maintenance training system and Hawk-unique ground support and test equipment.

The RFT includes a provision for operational maintenance to be conducted at the Williamtown RAAF Base in New South Wales and RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia.

The current contract expires in June 2013.

The RFT closes in July this year.

Media contact:

Korena Flanagan 02 6277 7290