The Australian government has approved another AU$1.6 billion of funding for upgrade work at the Royal Australian Air Force base Tindal in the Northern Territory.
The latest funding follows AU$495 million already invested in new air combat capability infrastructure at the base.
“As part of these upgrades, RAAF Base Tindal will be able to deliver enhanced air-to-air refuelling and air support capabilities, ensuring we can support critical ADF operations – everything from air combat missions through to responding to natural disasters both at home and throughout our region,” Australian prime Scott Morrison commented.
“The investment is part of the $8 billion we are spending over the coming decade on defense facilities in the Top End, as part of the defense white paper and under our Developing Northern Australia initiatives.”
“It will be integral to our Alliance with the United States, and increase the reach of Air Force capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.”
Tindal Air Force Base upgrades
Under the redevelopment projects, $737 million will go towards upgrading the airfield including extending the runway, building a new air movements terminal, parking apron and extra fuel storage facilities.
An additional $437 million will provide critical base infrastructure upgrades, particularly engineering services on the base including power, water and sewage, as well as 108 new live-in units for defense force personnel.
Public information sessions are scheduled for February 27 in Katherine and the following week in Darwin.
Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to start from mid-2020, with completion expected by the end of 2027.
The $495 million project to develop the new air combat capability facility that will support the arrival of Australia’s F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft has already been completed and will open soon.
