Sikorsky Australia has been selected by the US Navy to provide additional support to the RAN’s fleet of MH-60R Romeo multi-mission helicopters.
Sustainment for Australia’s fleet of 24 Romeo helicopters is delivered locally in Australia through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement with the US Navy.
The helicopters were first acquired from the US Navy through the FMS process and entered into service in 2013.
This $10 million contract expansion will see Sikorsky Australia deliver more sustainment support and maintenance to the Romeo helicopter fleet at their state-of-the-art maintenance, logistics and repair facility in Nowra.
“This new contract recognises the increased skill and expertise of the Australian workforce as this would previously have been completed in the United States,” Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said.
“The increase in services provided by Sikorsky Australia will continue to boost Australia’s defence industry and broaden the ongoing opportunities available to local companies to support the Romeo fleet.”
Minister Price said the US Navy’s role in supporting the Australian aircraft was critical.
“The broad scope and enduring nature of the Australia-US alliance offers mutual benefit to both our nations,” Minister Price said.
“This allows for the ongoing provision of support to Australia’s next-generation maritime combat helicopters.
“The sustainment arrangements for Australia’s fleet of Romeo helicopters continue to contribute to our world-class deeper maintenance and sustainment workforce in Australia, supporting Australia’s burgeoning industry capability to deliver global fleet maintenance in our region.”
Sikorsky Australia is a Lockheed Martin company.