C-130H Hercules maintenance contract signed

(July 5, 2010) -- Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, Greg Combet has today announced that Defence has signed a new three year contract with Qantas Defence Services for the ongoing maintenance and support of the Royal Australian Air Force's C-130H Hercules fleet.

Mr Combet said the $136 million contract was good news for industry and local employment, securing jobs for about 200 maintenance workers.


"Qantas Defence Services has maintained Australia's 12 strong C-130H Hercules fleet since 1999, demonstrating that local companies can deliver quality work and value for money," Mr Combet said.

"This contract covers a range of maintenance, engineering and logistics support activities, including T56 engine support for both the C-130H Hercules and AP3C Orion aircraft, and will directly support 200 jobs based at RAAF Base Richmond."

Mr Combet said the contract reflected the Government's approach to Defence procurement and sustainment as outlined in the Government's industry statement, Building Defence Capability: A Policy for a Smarter and More Agile Defence Industry Base.

Qantas Defence Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas Airways Limited and has an annual turnover in excess of $140 million and employs about 500 people.

The company provides maintenance, supply, deeper maintenance and training support to a range of major Defence aerospace capability systems.

Source : MoD Australia