Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil speaks to media after inspecting the new base works for the Apache helicopters at Townsville. Photo: ADF.
The airspace around Townsville has been a bit quieter since the sudden grounding and subsequent early retirement of the Australian Army’s fleet of MRH 90 Taipan transport helicopters in late 2023.
But that will soon change with the arrival of the first of 29 new Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters to be based at RAAF Base Townsville.
While the first few aircraft are either enroute to Australia as we go to press or are taking shape at Boeing’s Yuma, Arizona production facility, the base at Townsville is receiving a major makeover to accommodate them.
More than $700 million has been invested in critical infrastructure upgrades and facilities works to support the introduction of the new helicopters, including accommodation for the 16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters which has relocated from Brisbane, and for the 1st Aviation Regiment which is relocating from Robertson Barracks near Darwin.
The works comprise new aircraft hangars and renovations to existing hangars, new working accommodation, new training and command facilities, a simulation hall to accommodate Apache Pilot Simulation Training and the Army Aviation Training Centre Attack Helicopter Wing, and a multistorey carpark facility for base personnel.
The new Apaches will be based alongside the Army’s 14 Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters of C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment, while RAAF F-35s F/A-18F and EA-18G combat jets will continue to visit the base for course graduations and other exercises.
Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil said, at its peak the construction would support 275 new jobs in the region, and would inject $375 million into the North Queensland economy.
“By strengthening our northern bases, we’re not just investing in infrastructure —we’re safeguarding our national security and ensuring the ADF can defend Australia’s interests,” he said.
“RAAF Base Townsville is critical to our operations in the north and this $700 million transformation will help ensure Australia’s Defence estate is fit for purpose and ready to support operations in our region.
Australia’s first Apache helicopter on the Boeing production line in Arizona in July. Photo: ADF.
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia Nita Green said the base played an important role in protecting Australia.
“There’s no clearer example of that than the role played by the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment in the response to the most recent North Queensland floods,” she said.
“These upgrades will support the personnel that support the community. That’s why they are so vital for Townsville.”
The Apaches will replace the Airbus Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters (ARH) currently based in Darwin.
Head of Joint Aviation Systems Division Major General Jeremy King said it was an exciting time for the Army.
“The AH-64E Apache is the most contemporary and capable attack helicopter in the world,” he said.
“It allows us to continue to develop attack helicopter operations, armed reconnaissance helicopter operations, communications networking and, importantly, the ability to grow the teaming of crewed and uncrewed systems as we learn the lessons of modern warfare in the current environment.”
He said the configuration alignment with the US Army’s Apaches had allowed the Australian Army to leverage that service’s training and support system.
“We can pick up the lessons, the engineering and the logistics that the US Army have applied to their aircraft relatively easily, and that’s something we’ve been able to do with both our Black Hawk and Chinook fleets as well,” he said.
“The CH-47F, UH-60M (Black Hawk) and MH-60R (Romeo) fleets have experienced high levels of in-service availability and interoperability – we expect AH-64E to achieve the same when introduced into service.”
