• Students at the 2019 Australian International Airshow as part of the Jericho STEM kids engagement program.
    Students at the 2019 Australian International Airshow as part of the Jericho STEM kids engagement program.
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Avalon Airshow Ministerial announcements in overdrive

By Katherine Ziesing | Canberra | 27 February 2019
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Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne and Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo have been on an announcement/congratulations spree today at the Avalon Air show.

These include:

  • TAE Aerospace, on its announcement that it will become the world’s largest TPE331 turboprop engine maintenance provider by completing the second of two acquisitions in the US. These will support work on the General Atomics Reaper
  • Construction has commenced on the $24 million Engine Test Cell upgrade at RAAF Base Amberley in South East Queensland, also with TAE.
  • The launch of EOS’ new T-2000 turret, a product destined for exports according to the company. The turret was a joint development with Elbit with EOS looking to expand their constructions capabilities with a new facility in either SA or Queensland to supplement their Canberra plant.
  • A contract extension with BAE Systems Australia for in-service support of Royal Australian Air Force Hawk lead-in-fighter aircraft. “This $245 million contract extension provides for a two year extension to the existing in-service support arrangements for all current work out to 2022,” Minister Pyne said.
  • A new research alliance between DST Group and Northrop Grumman Australia with a focus on secure communications, space capabilities and unmanned systems.
  • A warm congratulations to RUAG Australia on delivering its 35,000th component part for the global F-35 Program.
  • Defence has signed a Heads of Agreement for Australian Sovereign Sustainment Contracts with Lockheed Martin Australia and Lockheed Martin Corporation. The agreement establishes the Intellectual Property, Technical Data and software arrangements for Australia’s direct sovereign sustainment contracts with Lockheed Martin entities.

Minister Ciobo confirmed that Australian industry is performing well as part of the massive international JSF program.

“Australian industry has reached more than AU$1.3 billion in production contracts as part of the global F-35 Program,” Minister Ciobo said. “By the end of 2023, this figure is expected to reach about AU$2 billion.”

Stay tuned for more industry and RAAF news - including the launch of the Wingman project - from Avalon during the week. 

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