Defence could move new Apache helicopter fleet to Townsville

Townsville may have lost the battle for the Black Hawk helicopters but could be chosen as the base for the fleet of new reconnaissance helicopters instead. This comes as Defence extends a major helicopter repairs contract with links to Townsville.

Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Warhawk, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division refuel an AH-64 Apache helicopter in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, May 1, 2017. The Warhawks are working hard to support U.S. Forces Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Resolute Support Mission.

TOWNSVILLE may have lost the battle for the Black Hawk helicopters but could be chosen as the base for the fleet of new Apache helicopters instead.

The move could also see an entire army aviation regiment relocated to Townsville from Darwin.

The Australian Defence Force alluded to a possible move on Wednesday, when it told the Townsville Bulletin the apaches would soon be supported in the north by Boeing Defence Australia.

This comes as Defence signed a new $41m contract extension with Boeing for the support, maintenance, training and sustainment of Army’s fleet of 14 CH-47F Chinook Helicopters.

The Chinook fleet is based in Townsville, with maintenance and sustainment service support provided in Oakey and Brisbane.

Apache attack helicopter manufactured by Boeing

Defence announced on Wednesday that Black Hawk helicopters would be purchased to replace the plagued MRH90 Taipan, and located in Oakey and Holsworthy – but not in Townsville.

Townsville’s 5th Aviation Regiment, which currently use the Taipans, will now solely operate its current fleet of 14 Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters.

A Black Hawk on a visit to Townsville. Picture: Zak Simmonds

In 2220 the Morrison Government announced the purchase of 29 Boeing Apache helicopters with an additional $500 million set aside for new facilities to house the new Apaches.

These are set to replace the Airbus Tiger recognisance helicopters currently used by the 1st Aviation Regiment in Darwin.

The decision as to where the new Apache helicopters will be based depends on the findings of the current Defence Strategic Review being led by former Chief of the Defence Force Sir Angus Houston and former Defence Minister Stephen Smith which will be handed down in March.

Former senior Defence official Lieutenant General retired John Caligari said that decision hinges on what was in Australia’s national security interest and its national defence.

Lieutenant General John Caligari. Picutre: Evan Morgan

“Something Defence has been looking at ever since I was in Defence was the potential to bring like-helicopters together,” he said.

“That is what they have done with the Black Hawks and what they are likely to do with the Apaches.

“I am not in the decision making part of Defence that is doing this anymore but it is a serious consideration in order to reduce the cost as long as it does not impact national defence, national security, to bring as much as possible as you can of your like-helicopters together.

“All the Boeing aircraft, and the Chinooks are Boeing and the Apaches are Boeing, so bringing the Apaches to Townsville would make eminent sense.

“Boeing are already here in strength maintaining the Chinooks so I would imagine it would be in their desires to have the maintenance of all of their aircrafts in Australia in one place.

“My understanding is that it would certainly be in their interest to have the Apaches, when they arrive, coming to Townsville as well because the maintenance would be a lot easier.

“As I said in the Defence sense having aircraft together also makes sense because it is a cost saver.”

First Assistant Secretary Joint Aviation System Division Shane Fairweather said the extended Boeing contract would ensure support for the Chinooks for the next five years. The extension will see the total contract value increased to $146 million.

The contract extension will add an additional 15 ongoing positions, with the majority based in Townsville.

Originally published as Defence could move new Apache helicopter fleet to Townsville