Tindal $1bn upgrade under way
US forces deploy regularly to RAAF Base Tindal in remote Northern Territory, now undergoing a $1.1b upgrade.
In early September, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds ceremonially turned the first sod of earth to mark the beginning of a $1.1bn upgrade at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal.
The program of work represents the latest in a series of major infrastructure projects at the base designed to enhance air combat capability in Australia’s north and includes Stage 6 of redevelopment works at Tindal, together with a KC-30A Facilities Project which is funded under the bilateral US Force Posture Initiatives (US FPI).
The latter program involves a major redevelopment of airfield infrastructure to support operation of large military aircraft such as the RAAF’s KC-30A multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) and deployed US air force B-1 and B-52 strategic bombers. Managing contractor of the latest work package is Lendlease.
The remote air base, located 15km south of Katherine in the Northern Territory, has also recently completed a $495m upgrade to support the standing up of the RAAF’s third operational F-35A Joint Strike Fighter squadron in early 2022, and will undergo further works to cater for deployment of the RAAF’s manned P-8A Poseidon and unmanned MQ-4C Triton surveillance aircraft. By the time works are completed in 2027, the total value will have exceeded $1.7bn.
“Over the next decade, the planned works will further enhance Defence air combat capability and our engagement with allies and other nations through the conduct of joint exercises, including our Enhanced Air Co-operation (EAC) with the United States Air Force,” Defence Minister Reynolds says.
“A concurrent $437m RAAF Base Tindal redevelopment project will also address critical upgrades to base engineering services including power, water and sewerage to support current and future projected demands on our base infrastructure.”
The latest work package forms part of the government’s planned upgrade of Defence facilities across the NT under its Developing Northern Australia initiative, valued at $8bn.
“These works will continue to provide strong economic benefits for the Top End over an extended delivery phase, with significant opportunities for the local construction industry to tender for sub-contract packages,” says NT Senator Dr Sam McMahon.
Local businesses in particular are set to benefit from the project, with a target of 70 per cent local participation rate across businesses, suppliers and Indigenous companies.
The $437m Tindal Redevelopment will provide base infrastructure upgrades, including on-base engineering services redevelopment and 108 new live-in units to accommodate ADF personnel.
Valued at $737m, the RAAF Tindal Airfield works and associated infrastructure project will include the lengthening of Tindal’s runway at the northern end by 610m to 3353m and widening the shoulders by 3m to 10.5m. This will result in a runway the same length as Darwin’s International Airport, which is currently used for USAF bomber deployments, and the increased width will easily support future operations by B-52s, which have outrigger wheels at their wingtips. A parallel taxiway will be extended to match the new runway length and an Operational Readiness Platform (ORP) will be constructed adjacent to the new threshold. Other work will see the construction of a new 4000sq m Air Movements Terminal (AMT) capable of handling up to 250 passengers at a time, new parking aprons, upgrades to airfield lighting and the construction of a new six megalitre fuel farm.
“The KC-30A Facilities Project will increase the capacity for the KC-30A MRTT operating from RAAF Base Tindal,” Defence said. “The upgrade to airfield and associated infrastructure enables the platform to operate effectively and efficiently, enabling support of the core air power role of air mobility, and the air power missions of air to air refuelling as well as logistics support.”
Under a previous $10m US FPI contract awarded by US Naval Facilities Command Pacific in May, Icon SI will also construct an earth-covered magazine facility at the base and future plans include a new heavy bomber apron and USAF fuel facility (linked to the fuel farm currently under construction) to support US Air Force deployments under the EAC agreement.
The RAAF’s No.75 Squadron is based at Tindal and currently operates the F/A-18A/B Hornet, but it is due to receive the first of 16 new F-35As in early 2022, with Final Operational Capability (FOC) planned for the end of 2023.
To support the new 5th generation fighter, the base has also recently completed a $495m redevelopment under Project Air 6000 Phase 2A/2B, which oversaw construction of an F-35A operational precinct, including upgrades to on-base warehousing, pavement upgrades, countermeasures storage and preparation facilities and engineering infrastructure. Other work included a new headquarters building for 75 Sqn, an off-aircraft maintenance facility, detached training site and secure aircraft parking apron.