AUSTRALIAN SUPER HORNET FACILITIES PROJECT GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD

The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, and the Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann MP, announced today that the $117.1 million facilities project to support the introduction of the new F/A-18F Super Hornet has received Parliamentary approval

The Australian Super Hornet Facilities Project will deliver the facilities and infrastructure to support No 82 Wing’s operations at RAAF Base Amberley for at least 10 years from 2010.

Construction is planned to start in early 2009 on the facilities project to support the 24 new jets.

“The Super Hornet will allow Australia to implement a planned withdrawal of the F-111,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“The Super Hornet’s advanced, networked weapons system will give Australia unprecedented air combat capability to meet the demands of the modern battlespace across the spectrum of air defence, strategic land attack and maritime strike.”

The new facilities are essential to support the fundamental shift in communications, security and maintenance requirements for the new aircraft and its weapons system.

“This project will inject cash into the local economy by creating jobs for tradespeople and labourers,” Mr Neumann said.

Source: 23 Oct 2008 - www.minister.defence.gov.au



(1.08.2009)