- Published:
- Monday 7 September 2015
Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio has congratulated Lockheed Martin Australia, Pilatus Aircraft and Hawker Pacific for securing preferred tenderer status to supply the Commonwealth with a defence pilot training system, worth $2 billion to Victoria’s economy.
The project is expected to generate more than 500 new full time equivalent jobs over the contract period and will be a major boost for Gippsland and Victoria.
The team of Lockheed Martin Australia, Pilatus Aircraft and Hawker Pacific will provide a new fixed wing Pilot Training System, which includes a basic flying training school that will be based at the East Sale RAAF Base in Gippsland.
Team 21 is led by Lockheed Martin, which will provide program leadership and expertise in ground-based training systems.
Pilatus will provide its PC-21 aircraft and ongoing engineering and supply services, while Hawker Pacific will provide comprehensive maintenance support.
Sale is the ideal location for the AIR 5428 pilot-training facility. It has the airfields and facilities, strong local government, community support, and the capabilities to meet the needs of the Australian Defence Force.
The Andrews Labor Government through Regional Development Victoria will provide funding to support the establishment of the AIR 5428 capability at Sale.
Victoria's defence industry has an annual turnover of about $1.9 billion. It includes more than 300 businesses and directly employs approximately 6,000 people who manufacture equipment and provide services for defence activities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio
“The Government is committed to safeguarding the future of the sector and its workers. We’ve identified defence technology as one of the strong growth areas to be targeted by our $200 million Future Industries Fund.”
“This is great news for Sale, Gippsland and Victoria. It will see enormous growth and local jobs flowing to the region.”
“Victoria’s economy is growing strong and leading the nation. We’re working hard to attract more investment, create high-wage, high skill jobs and get our state back to work”