By: Greg Waldron, Singapore
03:09 10 Apr 2015
Source: Flightglobal.com

The Royal Australian Air Force has confirmed that will acquire two additional Boeing C-17 strategic airlifters, which will bring its fleet of the type to eight.

The deal represents an investment of A$1 billion ($770 million), says the Australian Department of Defence department in a statement. Of this amount, A$300 million will be spent upgrading facilities at RAAF Amberley, where 36 Sqn is based.

Canberra’s interest in additional C-17s has been well documented. In October 2014 defence minister David Johnston confirmed that the country was interested in two to four additional C-17s.

The announcment about two additional aircraft reduces the number of ‘white-tail’ C-17s to five aircraft, says a Boeing spokesman.

With production of C-17s to end in 2015, Boeing decided to build 10 aircraft prior to signing up buyers. Of these aircraft, one was obtained by Canada, bringing its fleet to five aircraft, and two were ordered by an undisclosed customer in the Middle East.
flightglobal

April 10, 2015 by australianaviation.com.au 15 Comments

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed Australia will acquire two additional Boeing C-17 airlifters.

The Royal Australian Air Force’s 36 Squadron already operates a fleet of six C-17 Globemasters from its Amberley base, with the seventh to be delivered in July/August and the eighth aircraft to be delivered by the end of this year, the Prime Minister announced at Amberley on Friday.

The $1 billion acquisiton comprises $700 million for the two aircraft plus sustainment, and a further $300 million for a new, dedicated C-17 maintenance hangar and aircraft hardstand and taxiway upgrades at Amberley. Currently 36SQN utilises the KC-30 maintenance hangar at Amberley when needed.

“The two additional C-17s will provide vital heavy airlift support to a range of regional and global coalition operations and greatly increase Australia’s ­capacity to provide rapid and effectivedisaster rescue and relief and humanitarian aid,” Prime Minister Abbott said.

The acquisition of the two extra C-17s was first announced by then Defence Minister Senator David Johnston last October. At the time Johnston said Australia would also consider the acquisition of an eighth and ninth C-17, with decisions regarding the acquisition of the ninth and tenth aircraft are to be informed by the Force Structure Review being developed as part of the 2015 Defence White Paper process.

Then on November 12 a US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notification revealed Australia had formally requested “up to four” more C-17s from the US government.

With production of the C-17 ending this year, Boeing has built about 10 “white tail” aircraft in anticipation that these could be sold to new or existing customers of the airlifter. New Zealand has shown interest in two while there is believed to be interest for additional aircraft from India, Canada and the UK, as well as new customers in the Middle East.

Australia initially ordered four C-17s in 2006 which were delivered between December that year and January 2008. The fifth and sixth aircraft were delivered in 2011 and 2012.

“Boeing is honoured by Australia’s decision to acquire two additional C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, which further highlights the enduring relationship between Boeing and the Commonwealth,” Boeing said in a statement welcoming the announcement of the additional aircraft.

“Since 2006, the Royal Australian Air Force has operated its six C-17s on the frontlines of military operations and humanitarian missions. As Australia and customers around the world have experienced first-hand, the C-17 remains unmatched in its ability to transport troops and heavy cargo, support airdrops and aeromedical evacuations, and land and takeoff in remote airfields.”
australianaviation

AAP
April 10, 2015, 8:18 pm
Australia will buy two more Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, giving the RAAF a fleet of eight to help in relief missions and other operations.

The government plans to spend about $1 billion. About half will go towards the two extra aircraft, and the rest will be spent on new facilities, including a new maintenance hangar and upgraded facilities at RAAF base Amberley in Queensland.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said C-17 aircraft had transformed the Australian Defence Force's ability to transport large loads over long distances and to deploy its vehicles, helicopters and heavy equipment in Australia and overseas, on military, humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

Each can carry up to 75 tonnes of cargo, four times what can be carried aboard the RAAF's C-130J transport aircraft, covering twice the distance in three-quarters of the time.

The Howard government ordered four C-17s in 2006.They proved so useful that Labor ordered two more.

Aircraft seven and eight could be the last new C-17s for the RAAF. Their manufacturer Boeing closed the C-17 production line at the end of last year.
au.news.yahoo