Opportunities for industry in new Black Hawk order

The government and Lockheed Martin Australia have emphasised Australian industry opportunities in Australia’s latest acquisition of 40 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Australian Army

The Head, Land Capability Major General Jeremy King, CSM, said this was an important acquisition which will meet the strategic needs of the Australian Army.

Major General King said: “The Black Hawk will support the deployment of our troops and their equipment where they are needed in times of crisis.

“The Black Hawk is a reliable, proven and mature platform supported by a robust global supply chain.”

The Black Hawk will operate from Oakey, QLD and Holsworthy, NSW, supported by a highly skilled, blended maintenance workforce including Australian industry contractors.

Australian industry will be involved in logistic support, warehousing services, training development and engineering services, as well in the aircraft’s global supply chain.

According to the government, this would not only support the capability, but also maximise Australian industry participation, laying a foundation for future helicopter industry growth across the service life of the helicopter.

Lockheed Martin Australia Chief Executive Warren McDonald welcomed the UH-60M Black Hawk, saying that Sikorsky Australia had been sustaining the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopter fleets for over 30 years, while growing Australia’s sovereign industrial base and sustainment workforce in regional Australia to support the ADF’s rotary-wing mission.

McDonald said: “The addition of the UH-60M to the ADF fleet will generate positive economic opportunities for Australian Defence Industry across jobs creation, global supply chains and sovereign partnerships with regional small to medium enterprises.”

Picture: Lockheed Martin