Under a new A$313.5 million three-year contract, Sikorsky Australia will continue to deliver sustainment services for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters. Over 75 new jobs will be created in Nowra at Sikorsky Australia’s Maintenance and Logistics Support facility as part of the new contract, building on its current 200 strong workforce. Sikorsky Australia will grow its workforce across aircraft maintenance engineers, logisticians, and skilled aviation technical roles to support the RAN’s growing fleet of 23 MH-60R Seahawks, which will increase to 36 aircraft by the end of 2026.
Sikorsky Australia is committed to maintaining its apprenticeship and traineeship programs, which constitutes around 20% of the maintenance workforce and is a key pillar of ensuring the technical workforce is well positioned to meet the future needs of the capability. Sikorsky Australia will expand its regional supply chain of 60 small-to-medium-enterprises by more than 50 per cent to support commensurate growth across sustainment operations in line with the MH-60R Seahawks increased fleet size.
Integrated with the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm, Sikorsky Australia will continue providing through-life sustainment support to the MH-60R Seahawk fleet when on base and on deployment, including maintenance, training, warehousing, supply and engineering support services.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Executive Warren McDonald said, “We are proud to be extending our partnership with the Royal Australian Navy. For over 30 years, Sikorsky Australia has proudly sustained the Royal Australian Navy’s Seahawks and the Australian Army’s Black Hawk helicopters, while steadily building its sovereign industrial base. The recent contract reinforces the enduring partnership between Sikorsky Australia and the Royal Australian Navy to successfully sustain the Seahawks, a world-class maritime platform that brings unparalleled anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities to Australia, the US Navy and navies across the globe.”
Sikorsky Australia’s General Manager Cliff Kyle reflected, “Our workforce are deeply honoured to partner with the Royal Australian Navy and be continually entrusted with responsibilities in sustaining the Seahawk fleet of aircraft. The follow-on contract embodies that strong partnership Sikorsky Australia has built with the Royal Australian Navy in providing sustainment services with excellence to ensure the Seahawk fleet’s availability is optimised for maritime operations.” He added, “This contract is recognition of the important work that has been delivered to-date that underpin the success of Seahawks in the operational theatre.”
The contract award further acknowledges Sikorsky Australia’s capability and skill set to become a regional sustainment hub following the delivery of the first-ever deep maintenance activity on a US Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter in 2023 in partnership with Australian and US Navies.
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said: “This contract is an important milestone in maintaining readiness and resilience for a critical Defence capability. It demonstrates our Government’s commitment to providing the ADF with the resources it needs to keep Australians safe. This investment will create 75 jobs well-paid jobs and support another 200 jobs for locals, underscoring the Albanese Government’s commitment to investment in the local Shoalhaven community and building Australia’s Defence industry. This partnership demonstrates the strength of our local expertise and the vital role industry play in supporting our national security.”
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