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Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has received certification to commence maintenance of the Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) Chinooks.
The inaugural RSAF sustainment contract is expected to support local jobs growth, with 64 additional maintenance positions expected to be onboarded to BDA’s Oakey Detachment in Queensland.
The ‘Interim Approved Maintenance Organisation certificate’ was presented to BDA by RSAF Oakey Detachment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Neo following the arrival of CH-47F Chinook aircraft at Swartz Barracks, west of Brisbane.
“This key milestone marks the first time BDA has had the opportunity to support this valuable customer,” Amy List, BDA director, sustainment operations, said.
“Our rotary wing sustainment teams at Oakey and Townsville have established themselves as highly trusted and capable sustainment providers for the Australian Army’s Kiowas, Black Hawks and Chinooks over the past 20 years.
“This inaugural RSAF sustainment support contract is a strong endorsement of their capabilities and highlights the regional significance of the services capabilities we’ve developed in Australia and our commitment to meeting our customers’ present and future needs.”
The certification comes just months after the Commonwealth government agreed to extend Boeing’s sustainment contract for the Australian Army’s CH-47F Chinook fleet, taking the contract’s total value to $89 million.
The updated CH-47F Chinook Integrated Support Services (CISS) contract will now run until 2025 and retains 45 jobs in Townsville, Oakey and Brisbane.
Last month, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) also approved a Commonwealth government order of four Chinook helicopters and related equipment for approximately US$270 million ($335 million).
Written by Charbel Kadib.
