Dozens of high-skilled jobs on offer at Oakey Army Aviation Centre

New contracts to deliver Juno, Black Hawks, Apache and Chinook helicopters will bring hundreds of jobs to Queensland and the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

The Oakey Army Aviation Centre will soon be boosted by the delivery of Juno, Black Hawks, Apache (pictured) and Chinook helicopters and training equipment, which will also provide job opportunities in maintenance, engineering, training and logistics.

Recruitment is set to start soon for dozens of high-skilled jobs as the Australian Army rolls out new training equipment at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

Part of Australia’s new fleet of H135 ‘Juno’ helicopters and UH-60M Black Hawks are set to arrive from the US in the coming months, with a total 12 new aircraft to arrive by the end of 2024.

Part of this shipment includes early delivery of a Black Hawk aircrew training simulator and other essential items that will be based at Oakey.

Operations at the training centre are expected to start mid-year under a five-year lease agreement.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the rollout would enhance the army’s battlefield aviation capability.

“We need a highly capable army,” Mr Marles said.

“When the tough but necessary decision was made last year to expedite the withdrawal of the MRH-90s from service, it meant that we needed to look at all options when it came to filling the capability gap and providing the necessary training our servicemen and women need.

“We have been working with the United States and United Kingdom on ways in which we can bridge this gap, and their support and willingness with the acceleration of the Black Hawks and leasing of training helicopters will have a significant impact.”

Queensland will also receive an additional jobs boost through two Boeing Defence Australia contracts for the AH-64E Apache platform and CH-47F Chinook fleet.

Australian Army soldiers from 11 Brigade Quick Response Force land in a MRH90 helicopter at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

The seven-year support contract for the Apache helicopter is worth $306m and will deliver 230 maintenance, engineering, training and logistics services jobs.

While the Apache helicopter fleet will be based in Townsville from 2025, 30 of those jobs will be in Oakey.

A further 150 will be in Townsville and 50 in Brisbane.

The Chinook integrated support services contract with Boeing Defence Australia has also been extended for an additional 12 months until August 2028, increasing the total contract value from $146m to $184m.

This contract will provide for 70 jobs across Oakey, Townsville and Brisbane.

“Australia’s defence industry is vital to delivering the critical capabilities needed to keep our nation safe,” Mr Marles said.

“These investments in the Black Hawk, Apache and Chinook fleets will support workers and industry.

“The Albanese government is making the important decisions when it comes to sustainment, and at the heart of that is local Australian jobs.”