Page 9 - AVALON 2023 - Day 2 | DAILY NEWS

RAAF FINDS IDEAL Globemaster III. In fact, an expanded fleet
of C-130Js may well permit retirement of
the C-27J fleet, which has not performed
as well as expected due to availability and
REPLACEMENT configuration issues.

Government approval for a repeat C-130J
acquisition is expected this year, but it is
FOR C130-J clear that other contenders have not given
up. After all, both the Royal Malaysian Air
Force and Luftwaffe have brought A400Ms
The RAAF has been operating Lockheed medium air mobility options. The relative to Avalon Airshow 2023!
Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft merits of each aircraft type have been
since 1999, with twelve examples delivered assessed against Australia’s capability It is unclear whether Canberra has already
from 1999-2001. With a 30-year life of type, requirements.’ initiated a Foreign Military Sale. However, it
this fleet flown by of No. 37 Squadron is is highly unlikely any decision will be made
therefore due to retire in FY2030-31. Important criteria for the RAAF’s replace- till after the Defence Strategic Review is
ment aircraft were that it be ‘low-risk, published and digested.
The air force has been contemplating what certified-in-all-roles, proven, mature and
to replace the hardworking C-130J fleet affordable’. The C-130J obviously ticked One other thing going for the C-130 is that
with under Project Air 7404 Phase 1, and all those boxes in the RAAF’s eyes, with the an aerial refuelling variant is available in
the initial conclusion is more of the same! added advantage that aircrews and main-
tainers do not have to be retrained on a new the form of the KC-130, as used by the
Thus it was, the Department of Defence platform when older aircraft are withdrawn. US Marine Corps. If the RAAF opted for
announced on 1 November 2022 the a mixed buy of C-130Js and KC-130Js, it
selection of the C-130J-30 again for the The C-130J slots in between the smaller could enhance its air-to-air refuelling capa-
RAAF’s future medium airlift requirement. C-27J Spartan and much larger C-17A bility at the same time.
The public has not been notified of the
number of aircraft needed, but it is likely
to be greater than those already in service.
Defence said it was ‘expanding’ its fleet,
and some expect up to 24 aircraft could
be sought.

Competitors for this airlift requirement
likely included the Airbus A400M, Embraer
C-390 from Brazil and Kawasaki C-2 from
Japan. Australia noted it had ‘approached
a number of aircraft manufacturers and
received information on all available © Department of Defence

KONGSBERG TO BUILD NEW SOUTH

AUSTRALIAN FACILITY

Kongsberg Defence Australia, buoyed activities for both current and future General Manager, said, ‘After the
by recent local sales successes with defence programmes. completion of an early contractor
the NASAMS air defence system and involvement phase, we are delighted
Naval Strike Missile, is building a new This dedicated facility is expected to be to engage Adelaide-based Tandem
facility in South Australia. To this end, fully occupied and operational by early Building Group, a defence sector deliv-
it has engaged Tandem Building Group 2024, and it represents Kongsberg’s first ery leader in South Australia.’
(TBG) to construct the 2,500m² facility. such site in the Asia-Pacific region.
Nick Riddell, who is TBG South Australia’s
Operations Manager, said site mobili-
The initial contract is worth AUD15 Kongsberg predicts that between 70 and sation had already commenced. ‘South
million (USD10.2 million), and the site 130 workers will be employed for stage Australia’s construction industry has a
at Technology Park in Mawson Lakes one of the construction project, repre- fantastic reputation for delivering work
will be used for hardware production, senting some 30 different companies. of the highest quality, and this project
assembly, integration, test, verification, will put significant dollars into our local
software development and sustainment John Fry, Kongsberg Defence Australia’s economy.’

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