Interim training

A tender to provide the RAAF with an Interim Basic Flying Training (IBFT) system to replace the current system operated by BAE Systems Australia at Tamworth will close on February 11. The IBFT tender, being managed by the RAAF’s Training Command, will see an interim flight screening and training capability installed for a minimum of six years while the ADF’s delayed and more comprehensive Project Air 5428 matures to implementation.

The new tender became necessary due to Australia being a signatory to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), meaning the current arrangement with BAE could not be rolled over past its final option date of December 31, 2011 which had been exercised. It became clear in March 2008 that the planned delivery dates for the Flight Screening and Basic Flying Training elements of Air 5428 would not be achieved by the end of the final option period with BAE, so it was decided to implement the IBFT scheme to ensure continuity of training during the 5428 process.