Toowoomba Boeing facility locked in after federal government announces $450m Ghost Bat purchase

The first defence aircraft built in Australia for 50 years will take flight from Toowoomba, following a government announcement that all but locks in the project. And the deal with Boeing could trigger agreements that lead to thousands of city jobs.

Boeing’s plan to build a huge Toowoomba assembly plant for its new unmanned aircraft will be the linchpin for a precinct that will create thousands of local jobs.

The new 12,000 sqm facility near Wagner Corporation’s Wellcamp Airport is all but assured now, after the federal government revealed it would purchase seven of the MQ-28A Ghost Bats at a cost of more than $450m.

A purchase order was the final requirement for Boeing to lock in the project, which is currently going through development approvals with the Toowoomba Council.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton’s office confirmed the order had been made prior to the election being called, meaning the commitment was locked in.

Wagner Corporation’s John Wagner from Wellcamp Airport has welcomed the news. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The 300-worker facility was announced late last year, after both Boeing and the federal government had invested years and millions of dollars into developing what was known as the Loyal Wingman program.

Wagner Corporation’s John Wagner welcomed the news, noting it was just the first step towards a new aerospace precinct that could supercharge the defence industry in the Toowoomba region.

“To think that the biggest aerospace company in the world would build their first assembly plant outside of the United States in Toowoomba says a lot about our region and about Wellcamp and what we’ve got to offer,” he said.

“We would expect to have, once we start building this plant, at least another eight to 10 major companies co-locating to the precinct.

“This is what it means for us — it’s a couple of thousand new jobs.

“Boeing is the anchor and I have been having discussions over the past eight months with some international and some domestic companies.

“As soon as Boeing presses the button I think it will all happen pretty quickly.”

Defence Minister Peter Dutton addresses the audience at a Ghost Bat naming ceremony at the RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Picture: Department of Defence

Mr Dutton said the first aircraft would join the Royal Australian Air Force from 2024.

“Since 2017 the Coalition government has invested more than 150 million dollars to support the joint venture between the RAAF and Boeing Defence Australia to deliver a world-leading air system that will team with existing air combat aircraft and conduct air combat, reconnaissance and surveillance missions,” Mr Dutton said.

“In just four years our partnership with Boeing has designed, manufactured and flown the first Australian-built military combat aircraft in 50 years.

“Over 70 per cent of each aircraft is sourced, designed and manufactured in Australia, by Australians,

“This investment today will see the MQ-28A systems expected to enter service with the RAAF in 2024-25.”