Defence signs contract extension with Boeing for Super Hornet, Growler maintenance

Defence has signed a four-year extension to Boeing Defence Australia’s contract to maintain the Royal Australian Air Force’s Super Hornet and Growler aircraft in Amberley.

In a news release, Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, welcomed the extension to the Air Combat Electronic Attack Sustainment Contract and said it was an endorsement of Boeing’s performance and support of local workers.

“The contract, valued at $280 million, provides a highly-experienced maintenance, engineering, supply, project management, and weapon system integrator workforce to Defence,” Minister Price said.

“This partnership continues to recognise Boeing’s commitment and performance in supporting these Air Force capabilities.”

Over 90 per cent of the Air Combat and Electronic Attack Sustainment Contract is being delivered by Australian industry by 230 Boeing Defence Australia and sub‑contractor personnel, based in the Amberley region.

This latest contract is a follow on to the one signed in August 2016 for an initial five-year period, which also involved subcontractors including Raytheon Australia, Northrop Grumman Australia and Pacific Aerospace.

The RAAF operates 24 Boeing-manufactured F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole combat aircraft and 12 EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack aircraft with No. 1 and 6 Squadrons out of Amberley.

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Kym Bergmann
Kym Bergmann has more than 35 years of experience in journalism and Australian and international defence industry. After graduating with Honors from the Australian National University, he joined Capital 7 television, holding several positions including foreign news editor and chief political correspondent. After 2 years on the staff of a Federal Minister, he moved to the defence sector and held senior positions in several companies, including Blohm+Voss, Thales, Celsius and Saab. In 1997 he was one of 2 Australians selected for the Thomson CSF 'Preparation for Senior Management' MBA course, the other being Chris Jenkins - formerly the CEO of Thales Australia. He has also worked as a consultant for a number of companies, including Raytheon, Tenix (now part of BAES) and Martin Marrietta (now part of Lockheed Martin). He had several board appointments, including Thomson Sintra Pacific (1994 - 96) and Saab Pacific (1998 - 2003). He retains good personal links with senior figures in Government, as well as in industry and the media. He decided to return to journalism in May 2008, and holds the position of editor for Asia Pacific Defence Reporter (APDR) and Defence Review Asia (DRA). He is also a podcaster and commentator on defence and national security issues.

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