Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy with Sikorsky Australia staff and an MH-60R Romeo helicopter at Nowra. Photo: Fiona Phillips MP.
The Federal Government has announced that Nowra-based Sikorsky Australia has been awarded a $313.5 million extension to its contract to support the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of MH-60R Romeo Seahawk helicopters.
Based at the Albatross Aviation Technology Park on the western side of HMAS Albatross, Sikorsky Australia’s Maintenance and Logistics Support facility has sustained the RAN’s fleet of 24 MH-60Rs since they entered service in 2016.
With an additional 13 aircraft due to be delivered before the end of 2026, the RAN will have a fleet of 36 Romeos – one was lost in an at-sea ditching in 2021 – to expand the naval combat helicopter capabilities, and to reinstate the airborne logistics role lost with the early retirement of the MRH 90 Taipan.
The new contract will create an extra 75 jobs at the facility, including 20 more apprenticeships, as well as aircraft maintenance engineers, logisticians and skilled aviation technical roles, to add to the 200-strong workforce.
The contract also secures the facility’s future as a potential maintenance hub that could be used by the US Navy for repair, overhaul and upgrade support of its own MH-60Rs that operate in the region. This capability was successfully demonstrated in 2023.
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy described the contract extension as an important milestone in maintaining readiness and resilience for a critical Defence capability.
“It demonstrates our government’s commitment to providing the ADF with the resources it needs to keep Australians safe,” he said.
“This investment will create 75 well-paid jobs and support another 200 jobs for locals, underscoring the Albanese Government’s commitment to investment in the local Shoalhaven community and building Australia’s Defence industry.
“This partnership demonstrates the strength of our local expertise and the vital role industry plays in supporting our national security.”
In 2023, Sikorsky Australia demonstrated its capability to conduct maintenance, repair and overhaul work on US Navy MH-60Rs. Photo: ADF.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said Sikorsky Australia played a crucial role in maintaining the helicopters.
“We’re certainly a proud navy and Defence town and defence industry is a big part of that supporting navy capability,” she said.
“I’m thrilled to see this $314 million investment, which will also support additional seahawk helicopters, local businesses and jobs.”
Sikorsky Australia says it is committed to maintaining its apprenticeship and traineeship programs, which constitute about 20 per cent of the maintenance workforce, and what it describes as a key pillar of ensuring the technical workforce is well positioned to meet the future needs of the capability.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand chief executive Warren McDonald said the company was proud to be extending its partnership with the RAN.
“For over 30 years, Sikorsky Australia has proudly sustained the Royal Australian Navy’s Seahawks and the Australian Army’s Black Hawk helicopters, while steadily building its sovereign industrial base,” Mr McDonald said.
“The recent contract reinforces the enduring partnership between Sikorsky Australia and the Royal Australian Navy to successfully sustain the Seahawks, a world-class maritime platform that brings unparalleled anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities to Australia, the US Navy and navies across the globe.”
The RAN will have 36 MH-60Rs in service by the end of 2026. Photo: ADF.
Sikorsky Australia general manager Cliff Kyle added: “Our workforce [is] deeply honoured to partner with the Royal Australian Navy and be continually entrusted with responsibilities in sustaining the Seahawk fleet of aircraft.
“The follow-on contract embodies that strong partnership Sikorsky Australia has built with the Royal Australian Navy in providing sustainment services with excellence to ensure the Seahawk fleet’s availability is optimised for maritime operations.
“This contract is recognition of the important work that has been delivered to date that underpin the success of Seahawks in the operational theatre.”
