Helicopter pilots have backed the capabilities of Australia's growing fleet of Seahawk helicopters. (ABC Illawarra: Tim Fernandez)
In short:
US defence company Lockheed Martin has secured a $313.5 million contract to maintain Seahawk helicopters at HMAS Albatross.
The project is expected to create 75 jobs and pay for 20 apprenticeships in Gilmore, the most marginal electorate in the country.
What's next?
The Australian Defence Force will add 13 new Seahawks to its fleet by 2026.
Royal navy pilots flying Australia's growing fleet of submarine-hunting helicopters say they are prepared to target underwater threats.Â
The federal government on Friday confirmed it had signed a $313.5 million defence contract to service its expanding fleet of Seahawk helicopters at the HMAS Albatross base.
The navy maintains 23 MH-60R Seahawk "Romeo" at HMAS Albatross at Nowra, on the New South Wales south cost, and it plans to add another 13 aircraft by next year.
The aircraft are equipped with special radar and sonar devices and anti-submarine torpedoes.
Royal Australian Navy pilot Lieutenant Joshua Ryan Callan said the Seahawk crew received specialist training and was capable to targeting hostile submarines.
"The Seahawk Romeo is absolutely capable of conducting submarine warfare," he said.
"If government directs us to undertake that tasking, that is absolutely something we are trained and qualified to carry out."
Navy pilot Joshua Ryan Callan has carried out live fire exercises using the Seahawk helicopters. (ABC Illawarra: Tim Fernandez)
The government's announcement of the Seahawk contract comes a week after China carried out live fire exercises in international waters off the coast of Australia.Â
Fellow Seahawk pilot Lieutenant Michael Conway said he was not concerned about the exercises.
"They are not inside Australia's territorial waters, that is a thing that happens routinely," he said.
"We rehearse our weapons systems every now and then so I've done a live hellfire shoot in this airframe against what we call 'killer tomato' targets."
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, who travelled to Nowra for the announcement, said the federal government was monitoring the Chinese ships.
"What matters is that people abide by the international laws and international standards," he said.
"We have been very clear that the way the Chinese conducted their live firing exercise in terms of how much notice they gave was unreasonable."
Gilmore contestÂ
Mr Conroy made the funding announcement alongside Fiona Phillips, the member for the ultra marginal seat of Gilmore.
Minister Pat Conroy makes the funding announcement alongside MP, Fiona Phillips who is fighting to hold onto her seat. (ABC Illawarra: Tim Fernandez)
The prime minister and opposition leader have made multiple trips to Gilmore, which Labor won by just 373 votes at the last election.
The latest funding will pay for the servicing of the Seahawk fleet for the next three years, which is expected to create 75 jobs and 20 apprenticeships.
Mr Conroy said it would also support 200 existing defence jobs at the naval base.
"This partnership demonstrates the strength of our local expertise and the vital role industry play in supporting our national security," he said.
A pair of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters in a hangar at the HMAS Albtaross naval base. (Supplied: Australian Defence Force)
'Submarine killers'
The contract was awarded to Sikorsky, a subsidiary of US military company Lockheed Martin.
The money will be used to pay for the workers who will maintain the aircraft, which each cost about $15 million.
The federal government has already provided $120 million to resurface the tarmac at Albatross to prepare for the arrival of the Seahawk fleet.
Seahawk helicopters are typically used for a range of purposes, including cargo and passenger transfer and search and rescue missions.
The aircraft stationed at HMAS Albatross are dubbed "submarine killers" and are specifically designed for underwater warfare.
The contract will pay for the maintenance of the Seahawk helicopters based at HMAS Albatross. (Supplied: Australian Defence Force)
Servicing US aircraft
The deal also included arrangements to support US aircraft in Nowra.
The contract contains an option to maintain, service or overhaul US navy aircraft at HMAS Albatross.
US Seahawk helicopters have already been serviced in Nowra and it is expected that number will grow over the coming years.
The ABC understands the US will pay for any service costs.
The federal government also confirmed it had extended an arrangement to accommodate the Rural Fire Service's (RFS) firefighting fleet at military bases.
These include RAAF Base Richmond and RAAF Base Williamtown, as well as HMAS Albatross.
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