December 8, 2015
Gippsland’s future as the home of Australian Defence Force aviation training has been further cemented following the formal contract signing with TEAM 21 in Canberra today.
Assistant Minister for Defence and Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, said the co-location of pilot training and pilot instructor training would be beneficial for Defence and also for the wider Gippsland community.
“The first of 49 PC-21 aircraft will arrive in Australia from 2017 with the first undergraduate training course beginning from early 2019 at RAAF Base East Sale,” Mr Chester said.
“Cutting edge training will include the use of flight simulators and will equip our ADF pilots to fly the aircraft of a modern defence force such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter and the MRH 90 helicopter.
“Already renowned as the home of the Roulettes, RAAF Base East Sale is set to become famous as the home of aviation training for the Australian Defence Force.”
Mr Chester said the training to be delivered at RAAF Base East Sale would attract and sustain additional jobs in the region.
“Gippsland has a strong connection to the Australian Defence Force and this contract will further cement that relationship by providing more than 150 defence jobs and in excess of $15 million per year in economic activity over the life of the project,” he said.
Mr Chester commended Lockheed Martin Australia, Hawker Pacific and Pilatus for the work they have undertaken in making a bid for the contract to deliver the Pilot Training System.
“I look forward to the benefits that this project will provide to the young men and women who will learn their craft at RAAF Base East Sale,” he said.
