East Sale RAAF Base to host Australian Defence Force flight training
REGIONAL Victoria will become the new home of an Australian Defence Force flight training program, which is tipped to boost the local economy by $19 million a year.
Federal Defence Minister Kevin Andrews has today announced Lockheed Martin Australia as the preferred tenderer, which will base the new pilot training system at the East Sale RAAF Base, in Gippsland.
The Pilot Training System will deliver 49 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, with the East Sale Base to become home to 22 of the new aircraft.
BAE Systems Australia, the current contractor in Tamworth, NSW, will continue to provide basic pilot training until the end of 2019.
The announcement has been politically sensitive for the Abbott Government, with the current base in the electorate of Agriculture Minister and Nationals deputy leader Barnaby Joyce.
From 2019, East Sale will have an annual intake of up to 165 trainee pilots, which will increase the number of Defence graduates from 77 to 105 pilots each year.
The program will support around 162 jobs as part of the ongoing training of students.
The training prepares undergraduate pilots fly advanced military aircraft such as the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, and MRH-90 helicopter.
Department of Defence estimates predict the shift will benefit the Gippsland economy by $500 million over the next 25 years.
Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies said that the new training system was about much more than just acquiring a new aircraft.
“The new pilot training system will enable us to use the latest in simulator technology that can be adapted to student needs and different learning styles to allow students to progress through training faster,” Air Marshal Davies said.
“This will create efficiencies for pilot training and allow more flexibility for our student pilots.”
Mr Andrews said Defence would work closely with BAE over the next four years to actively promote the unique flight training opportunities offered at Tamworth.
The facility is also used by other defence customers, including the Republic of Singapore Air Force, the Royal Brunei Air Force and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.