Construction has commenced on a Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility for the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) fleet of 737 variant aircraft. The $200 million facility is being built adjacent to RAAF Base Edinburgh on land owned by the South Australian Government.
When complete, the facility will be 240 metres long, 60 metre wide, 25 metre high and able to accommodate up to four 737 aircraft at a time. It will also include offices, workshops, stores, amenities areas and plant rooms.
The new facility will replace a modified hanger on base at RAAF Edinburgh that will be handed back to the RAAF when the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility is complete. That handover was originally expected to occur in 2025, however, the new facility is now not expected to be complete until mid-2026.
The Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility will support the RAAF's fleet of 14 P-8A Poseidon and 6 E-7A Wedgetail aircraft as they undergo regular maintenance and upgrades.
"This project reflects the Government’s commitment to building Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base," said the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy.