Community & Business
27 April, 2021
Chinook support contract extension secures local jobs
Dozens of defence industry jobs will be secured in Queensland, including several in Oakey, after the federal Government committed to a 12-month extension of a contract that provides support for Defence’s Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.
Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said Boeing Defence Australia would continue to provide support for the Chinook fleet out to 2025 under the CH-47F Chinook Integrated Support Services (CISS) contract.
Ms Price said the extension meant the total contract value had increased to $89.2 million.
“This contract assures 45 ongoing positions for the local economies in Townsville, Oakey and Brisbane, showing once again that we are leading the way when it comes to growing jobs and the Australian economy,” she said.
“The Chinook helicopter fleet has a long history of providing outstanding support to operations, both overseas and locally in Australia.”
Singaporean Army Chinooks, which are housed at Oakey, were deployed in support of Operation Bushfire Assist in 2019-2020.
“These contract changes will increase the level of services provided to Defence and expand the maintenance and training support provided for the CH-47F Chinook fleet,” Ms Price said.
