Boeing will assist Defence in sustaining Australia’s future AH-64E Apache attack helicopters under a seven-year contract. More than 230 new roles will be created in Queensland under the initial support contract, covering maintenance, engineering, aircrew and maintainer training, and logistics for the 29 Apaches. Last year, Boeing announced five Australian companies will supply parts to the Australian or global Apache fleets.
“We have an unmatched sovereign platform sustainment capability that has enhanced multiple Foreign Military Sale platforms for the Australian Defence Force, and we’ll adopt that proven approach on Australia’s Apache program,” said Scott Carpendale, Boeing Defence Australia’s vice president and managing director. “Together with our local parts suppliers, this contract will bolster Australia’s defence industry and deliver a dependable new frontline capability in Australia, for Australians.”
Major General Jeremy King, Head of Joint Aviation Systems Division, Capability Acquisition & Sustainment Group, said: “Defence is dedicated to enhancing the Australian Defence Force’s battlefield aviation capability and building Defence industry. The initial support contract with Boeing Defence Australia meets Defence’s requirements for skilled workforce in the operating and training units in Townsville and Oakey, as well as the support office in Brisbane. Defence looks forward to working collaboratively with Boeing Defence Australia in achieving the AH-64E Apache fleet’s introduction into service,” he said.
Boeing is focused on delivering the Australian Apache from late 2025 to support the Commonwealth’s target of Initial Operational Capability in late 2026. Boeing has also been awarded a CH-47 Chinook Integrated Support Services contract extension, further strengthening the company’s in-country rotary-wing capability and securing regional jobs in Townsville.
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Well done at least we’re now aquiring serious defence force capabilities early days however ,Long range anti ship Tomahawk strike missiles essential,and autonomous anti ship submarines unmanned strike systems .Anti Drone capabilities for our surface combatants essential ,as are strike long range Armed attack drones swarms of them ,A cost effective deterrent force multiplier,Look what happened WWl and II submarines rendered Huge battle ships virtually obsolete overnight.Australia has the technical capabilities to expedite the aforementioned in a very short time if we had to,The problem meddling clueless public service types get involved stifulling lead time aquisition of commissioning of systems,We live in a dangerous WORLD.
I still can’t fathom why we are replacing a reconnaissance Helicopter (range around 800 Kim’s) with an Attack Helicopter (range around 470 Kim’s) ,especially one that is practically obsolete , Boeing are certainly going to be busy. I suppose another Hole will be dug for our Tigers .
It’s a similar equation for Taipan – endurance 4.5 hours – compared with UH-60M, with endurance of 2.5 hours.
so, we’re screwed again?
What makes you say it’s obsolete?
Apache? Obsolete is probably not the correct word – it’s a design from the 1970s that still retains features that are now way out of date, such as mechanical flight controls. The electronics have been progressively modernised but it is a heavy and cumbersome piece of machinery. I have no idea how Army / Defence have convinced people that it will be easier to maintain than Tiger.
there was a bloke on abc radio this morning stating helicopters are on the way out due to new tech
Attack helicopters are becoming non-viable. The US has just cancelled their Apache replacement program, known as FARA. Japan has retired their entire Apache fleet. But our Army is pushing ahead, unhindered by logic or any awareness of what is happening in Ukraine, with the purchase of $7 billion worth of Apache helicopters to replace the perfectly fine 22 Tiger ARHs currently in service.
lol It’s the same with Blackhawk. USA is replacing this with Osprey, allegedly. Why do we do this?
To Kym re: FARA, and to Alan re: Osprey.
FARA stands for Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, it was not an Apache replacement. It was an ARH broadly equivalent to Tiger, and was supposed to replace Shadow and Grey Eagle UAS which had replaced OH-58D in the reconnaissance role.
Apache will be replaced late in the FVL program with a platform compatible with the FLRAA (future long range air assault) aircraft.
Alan,
the V280 is the chosen FLRAA platform. It looks like an Osprey but is about half the weight and may replace Black Hawk from the mid-30s. UH-60 will be supported and upgraded until 2060.
Thanks; noted about FARA. I will have a comprehensive article in the next APDR updating Apache thanks to an extremely comprehensive briefing from Boeing and US Army personnel. As always, our Army refuses to say a single word explaining their $7 billion decision.