BAE Systems to invest in Williamtown

BAE Systems Australia will create 55 new skilled engineering jobs in the Hunter region of New South Wales through support provided by the state government’s $250 million Jobs Plus Program.

BAE Systems will expand the company’s Williamtown base, building additional bays at the aircraft sustainment hub, which will complement the new bays planned to be built by BAE Systems.

As part of this hub, the company will manage an F-35 South-Asia Pacific Regional Depot.

“These regional bays will be export focused, attract overseas aircraft and sustainment contracts from the region, increasing jobs and opportunities for the Hunter region,” according to the state government.

BAE Systems Australia CEO Gabby Costigan said Jobs Plus support is pivotal in maximising the sovereign capability the company was developing in Williamtown to sustain the Australian F-35 fleet.

Costigan said: “The facilities developed here will be a beacon for global F-35 fleets operating within and near our region.

“BAE Systems Australia will continue working with our supply chain partners in the Hunter Valley to identify and secure new opportunities that build on the solid foundation of leading-edge aircraft support we have developed over two decades at Williamtown.”

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the investment in BAE Systems would promote the growth of skilled jobs in regional NSW, while enhancing the nation’s sovereign defence capability.

Toole said: “This Australian-first facility will increase the number of international aircraft that can be maintained at Williamtown and make regional NSW more competitive for future defence export opportunities.

“The NSW Government has already invested more than $16 million to develop infrastructure and skills in the Hunter region to strengthen its defence and aerospace industry, through the Astra Aerolab Defence Aviation Technology Precinct and the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said BAE Systems had more than 1,600 businesses as part of its supply chain.

Picture: BAE Systems Williamtown

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