Patrick Durrant | Sydney
Refuel International – based in Sunshine West in Melbourne – has won the $47 million contract to construct the ADF new aviation fuel tankers under JP 157 Phase 1.
The contract for JP 157 Phase 1 announced today seeks to replace and enhance the ADF’s aviation ground refuelling vehicle fleet, which includes bulk fuel tankers, tanker trailers and hydrant dispenser vehicles, to ensure the effective and efficient refuelling of current and approved future fixed and rotary wing aircraft fleets.
The new fleet will allow the ADF to retire its current ageing fleet of refuelling vehicles, enabling it to efficiently and effectively refuel and defuel its current and future fleets of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters across its Australian bases and at the Royal Australian Air Force Detachment located at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth.
Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said the project was a big win for the local Victorian company and ADM Defence Supplier and would provide a much needed boost to the area.
“This contract will create more than 60 direct jobs at the Sunshine West factory of Refuel International, which has a long history of working in Australia and global experience in the manufacture of aviation refuelling vehicles.
“Following on from the 60 jobs at Sunshine West, will be dozens more across the state and the country as they draw on their supply chain to complete the contract, as well as in the maintenance and sustainment of the vehicles.
The total value of the JP 157 is over $400 million, with an additional $360 million expected to be spent over the 15 year life of the vehicles on sustainment, maintenance and repair (contracts yet to be announced).