US awards $380m contract for key RAAF Base Darwin defence upgrades

The United States Department of Defence has awarded a massive $380 million contract for key strategic works in Darwin. Find out what they are.

Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornets.

The United States Department of Defence has awarded a $380 million contract for strategically important upgrades to RAAF Base Darwin.

Texas company Sullivan Land Services Co (SLSCO) has been awarded the contract to construct a new aircraft parking apron and supporting facilities

Sullivan Land Services Co. is a Galveston based construction company that participates in large American government projects.

The works are part of the US Force Posture initiative to enhance security in the Asia-Pacific region.

It is understood that the contract also includes an aircraft rinse facility, aircraft wash rack, helicopter landing pads and supporting facilities as well as construction of Marine aviation logistics squadron and Marine wing support squadron facilities to support the Marine Corps Air Combat Element.

Works are expected to be completed by December 2027.

Aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force and United States Marine Corps p

The infrastructure is intended to: boost RAAF Base Darwin capacity; enhance the capacity of the US and Australia to complete joint military operations and training exercises; promote opportunities to engage with regional partners; and demonstrate our shared commitment to Indo-Pacific security.

United States Defence’s $380m upgrade to RAAF Base Darwin to include helicopter landing pads and supporting facilities

The contract announcement follows closely on last month’s visit to RAAF Base Darwin by the United States air force (USAF) and leading RAAF logistics officials.

The officials toured Australia’s north to identify strategically relevant bases and potential operating sites for logistical support and sustainment of forces.

Director General Logistics for RAAF, Air Commodore Sandy Turner said it was essential that Defence had logistically networked bases and sites across Australia’s north to enhance force projection and improve Defence’s ability to enable and support operations.

“From a logistics perspective, sustainment of northern Australia has primarily been from areas in the south, which would experience long supply-chain challenges,” Air Commodore Turner said.

“Under the National Defence Strategy, there will be deepening defence engagement.

“These activities need increased sustainment and support. The USAF, and in particular, the Air Mobility Command and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), will be providing sustainment support for their own forces and activities.

“It is important for air force to understand how we can link into that, what strategic and logistics support we need to provide and where the gaps are.”

Leading logistics officials from the Royal Australian Air Force and the United States air force gather after site visits at RAAF Base Darwin.

The Defence Strategic Review emphasises the importance of Australia’s northern bases to the nation’s security.

Upgrading and developing the northern bases network will involve $2 billion for air bases stretching from RAAF Base Learmonth through to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, in the Northern Territory, and in northern Queensland; $1 billion for upgrades to land and joint estate capabilities; $600 million in maritime estate investments including HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Cairns and the Harold E. Holt Naval Communication Station; and $200 million to accelerate and add scope to other unspecified projects.

Originally published as US awards $380m contract for key RAAF Base Darwin defence upgrades