By
Michael Brooke
Volume 48, No. 8, May 18, 2006
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Master
of style: The C-17 Globemaster project is a step closer
with a near $2 billion allocation for the project in the
Federal Government’s 2006-2007 Budget. The first C-17
is expected to arrive in December this year.
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THE
purchase of the Air Force’s new Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
aircraft, as flagged in March, has moved a step closer with the
allocation of $1.9 billion for the project in the 2006-07 Federal
Budget of May 9.
“The Budget will also provide extra funding to operate the
new aircraft, once the costs have been assessed and agreed,”
the Minister for Defence, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson said.
“This will be in addition to the three percent real growth
provided by the Government over the 15-year period from 2001-02
to 2015-16,” he said.
“The Air Lift Group will acquire up to four C-17s with the
first aircraft expected to arrive in Australia in December this
year. I expect final delivery of the aircraft to be complete by
mid-2008.
“The C-17 aircraft will significantly enhance the ADF’s
airlift capability, currently delivered by our C-130H and C-130J
Hercules medium transports.
“It is the only aircraft currently in production that has
a proven capacity to meet the ADF’s operational needs. The
C-17s will enable the rapid deployment of troops, combat vehicles,
bulk stores, heavy equipment and stores at long distances.”
Dr Nelson said the new airlift capability would bolster the Australian
Defence Force’s contribution to domestic and international
operations, as well as to major disaster rescue and relief efforts.
Australia would have its own heavy airlift capability when and
where we needed it, he said.
The initiative is part of the Coalition Government’s long-term
commitment to Defence, with substantial funding increases over
the next 10 years.
Dr Nelson said that this long-term commitment gives Australia
the capacity to build a more combat-focused, better equipped,
more mobile and operationally-ready Defence Force, enhancing our
ability to protect our people, interests and values.
“The 2000 Defence White Paper committed the Government to
increased Defence spending by an average of three percent real
growth a year from 2000-01 to 2010-11, adding a further $28.5
billion of resources to Defence over that time frame,” Dr
Nelson said.
“These commitments mean that the Defence budget will grow
from $12.6 billion in 2000-01 to $26.7 billion by 2015-16.”
Base trunk engineering services, civil works and infrastructure
upgrades at RAAF Base Amberley have been allocated $161.4 million.
Stage two of the project will provide new facilities to support
relocations from various locations around Australia and for the
introduction of the multi-role tanker transport, and the upgrading
of trunk engineering services.
The RAAF College relocation from RAAF Base Williams at Point Cook
in Victoria and RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia to RAAF
Base East Sale in Victoria and RAAF Base Wagga in NSW has been
allocated $61 million in the Budget.
The project provides for working accommodation, training facilities
and living accommodation for students and staff to allow for the
relocation. The project began in April and is expected to be finished
by mid-2008.
A total of $33.4 million has been allocated for construction of
interim and permanent working accommodation and supporting infrastructure
at Holsworthy, Sydney to allow for the relocation of 171st Aviation
Squadron from Townsville to Sydney.
