What
we get
AIR
Force stands to benefit substantially from its share of the $16.35
billion Defence allocation in the Budget.
The
benefits include:
Extra
sting
HORNETS
will receive the capability to conduct allweather precision bombing
operations at a cost of around $50 million. Kits for existing
bombs will be acquired to increase their accuracy and allow delivery
in adverse weather conditions.
The weapons will include GPS guidance software. The bomb improvement
program will complement the future follow-on stand-off weapon
program to provide a cost-effective enhancement to the ADF’s air
strike capability while Defence awaits the arrival of the Joint
Strike Fighter. The initial integration of the bomb kits will
be complete by 2008.
Herc
protection
THE
C-130J fleet will receive self-protection systems at cost of about
$20 million. The project will introduce missile warning systems,
countermeasure dispensing systems and ballistic protection, ensuring
the aircraft are better protected against surface- to-air missiles
and small arms fire. Self-protection for the full C-130J aircraft
fleet will be fitted by 2005.
Richmond
THE
base will get a fuel farm and liquid oxygen compound upgrade,
construction of a new squadron headquarters complex and maintenance
workshops, upgrades to the base engineering infrastructure and
building works in support of the Air Lift Group.
Williamtown
$38m
will be spent on facilities and infrastructure for the introduction
of the AEW&Cs, including the hangar and widening of the taxiway
and upgrades to the base engineering works.
Other construction will include a storage facility for the ASRAAM
and CAT missiles, office accommodation for the Tactical Fighter
Project Management Unit associated with the Hornet Upgrade Phase
2 program and a 90-place childcare centre.
Townsville
WORK
on the Phase 2 base redevelopment program will be extended with
the introduction of new facilities in place of existing ones.
A new No. 27 Squadron facility is expected to be completed by
August.
East
Sale
A
NEW 50-place childcare centre will be constructed on the base
for use by ADF members, and will include working accommodation
for staff.
Williams
LAVERTON
will receive a new training and rehearsal facility for the RAAF
Central Band and the Defence International Training Centre will
be refurbished.
Canberra
$8m
will be spent on assets over the next four years, including a
multi-user depot that will collocate a number of tri-service operational
units, reserves and cadets at HMAS Harman after the sale of RAAF
Base Fairbairn.
Tindal
WORKS
to be completed on the base will include a storage facility for
ASRAAMs, a perimeter security fence, a vehicle compound for 16
tanker vehicles and the replacement of cooling towers.
Darwin
STAGE 1 of the base redevelopment program will continue and construction
of a vehicle compound for 26 tanker vehicles and an upgrade to
the married quarters electrical reticulation will be completed.
Edinburgh
STAGE 1 of the base redevelopment program will continue, and the
base will receive a new ground support equipment hangar and a
new turntable facility to measure the Radar Cross Sections of
airborne platforms. DSTO will receive modifications to research
laboratories and new information and accommodation facilities
and soil and water quality monitoring.
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