Australia is moving MRO functions onshore for its F/A-18F Super Hornets. (Photo: BDA)
Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has signed a new military aircraft support contract with RUAG Australia, as part of broader efforts to build up sovereign MRO capabilities in the country.
The deal under the Air Combat Electronic Attack Sustainment (ACEAS) programme will see RUAG perform ‘enhanced intermediate-level repairs on an initial three components for F/A-18Fand EA-18G Growler aircraft, with the potential to increase that number’, BDA noted in a 27 July announcement.
The three components are the main and nose wheel hubs plus a component from the environmental control system.
Currently, they are being repaired in the US under the FMS programme — so moving the work to Australia will help in ‘building resilience’ into the RAAF Super Hornet and Growler supply chains, said Chris Gray, BDA programme manager for ACEAS.
BDA provides sustainment and support services for other Australian aircraft such as the C-17A Globemaster, P-8A Poseidon, E-7A Wedgetail, CH-47F Chinook, EC-135 training helicopter and the soon-to-be-introduced AH-64E Apache Guardian.
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October is the first by a Labour government in 14 years. While it sees a boost in defence spending, this comes in the face of fiscal challenges and the effects of inflation.
The changes are intended to meet greater need and deliver more value for money.
BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have been betting on new facilities and innovative manufacturing technologies to speed up the development of new solutions.
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