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The Australian Army’ s first pair of AH-64E Apache helicopters have arrived in Queensland at RAAF Base Townsville.
Acquired through foreign military sales with the United States, the Apaches are expected to provide critical aviation effects, including reconnaissance, communications and networking, firepower and offensive support.
In addition, the helicopters are a key element of Army’s transformation into a force optimised for littoral manoeuvre and long-range strike.
“The AH-64E Apache provides a critical step change in attack aviation capability for the Australian Army and builds on the Albanese government’s investments to improve the Australian Defence Force’s ability to operate from Australia’s northern bases,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
“The Apache is the most advanced attack helicopter operating today and the Albanese government is pleased to welcome the first two helicopters to Townsville.
“Our investment in North Queensland to support the Apache fleet will not only provide significant training and employment opportunities through a ‘train local to stay local’ approach but will make Townsville Australia’s largest defence helicopter industry hub – supporting local jobs.”
All 29 Apache aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2029. Boeing Defence Australia will provide support to the new fleet of Apaches under a seven‑year contract worth $306 million.
The contract will deliver maintenance, engineering, training and logistics services, and is expected to provide more than 240 industry jobs across Queensland, including 170 jobs in Townsville.
Additional training and employment opportunities are expected to be created through the establishment of the Townsville Aviation Training Academy, which will deliver technical courses to train new industry maintenance personnel for the AH-64E Apache and CH-47F Chinook helicopter fleets.
“These new attack helicopters are critical to modernising the ADF and transforming the Army into a force optimised for littoral manoeuvre and long-range strike,” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
“The delivery of this key capability also demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting Australian industry as we work to give the ADF the capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe.
“This is also great news for the Townsville region with the contract with Boeing Defence Australia, along with essential upgrades to RAAF Base Townsville, to create hundreds of jobs for North Queenslanders and inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy.”
The federal government is also investing $700 million to provide essential infrastructure upgrades and facilities works at RAAF Base Townsville to support the introduction of the Apache fleet, and the relocation of the 1st Aviation Regiment and 16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters. The construction phase of this project is expected to create 275 jobs in the Townsville region.
To support the AH-64E’s introduction into service, Australian Army personnel have been undertaking training in the United States and the United Kingdom, with a number of air and ground crew already qualified on the Apache.
