HMAS Albatross is set to be announced as part of a $428 million upgrade of four strategic airbases in Australia.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to make the announcement on Friday, which will create 600 jobs, ensuring ADF facilities are improved in uncertain global times.
The $428 million investment will see upgrades to RAAF airbases Amberley (Queensland), Pearce (Western Australia), and Richmond (NSW) and Albatross.
The airbase upgrades include aircraft runway and pavement improvements including resurfacing asphalt, replacing concrete and remediating contamination; replacing end of life electrical equipment and infrastructure associated with the provision of airfield lighting; and ensuring aviation safety and WHS requirements are met.
Up to 160 jobs will be created at each airbase, with construction starting late this year.
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The announcement is part of the Morrison Government's economic plan, the work delivering significant operational capability upgrades to the defence airbases, creating jobs while ensuring Australians are kept safe in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Mr Morrison said job creation was at the heart of the government's economic plan, with this project maintaining and upgrading critical defence airfield infrastructure to keep our nation safe.
"Our $270 billion defence investment is keeping Australians safe, building our sovereign defence capabilities and creating jobs while securing a strong economy and a stronger future," the Prime Minister said.
"In these uncertain times it's vital that we take steps to invest in our defence force and ensure our ADF have the best technology and facilities, so that Australians are protected.
"Only by ensuring we have a strong economy can we afford to invest in the defence and national security capabilities we need to keep our nation safe."
Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the upgrades would ensure that the Australian Defence Force can continue to provide critical capabilities
"Upgrades to these airfields will ensure that the men and women of the ADF can continue to provide the operational capability needed to keep our nation safe, whether that be Super Hornets and Growlers at Amberley, C-130 Hercules at Richmond, our pilot training at Pearce, or our Romeo Helicopters at Nowra," Mr Dutton said.
"Importantly, our $270 billion defence capability investment over the decade ensures that all of the essential enabling capabilities are also funded - you have to look after your bases to ensure that the men and women of our Defence Force have the tools they need to keep us safe.
"When Labor was in Government, they neglected our defence base upkeep because of their cuts to the defence budget - down to the lowest level since before the Second World War - leaving our national security exposed."
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the government was committed to a significant investment that will provide benefits to the Queensland, Western Australian and NSW economies, maximising the opportunities for both local and Indigenous businesses.
She said since 2019 the government has committed to 33 capital infrastructure and facilities projects worth over $6.2 billion, supporting more than 11,000 jobs.
"We are ensuring that local industry is prioritised and local tradies have the opportunity to work on this significant defence investment," she said.
"Importantly, this investment has ensured that our estate works contractors have committed to an average of 78 per cent local industry content, with some committing to up to 100 per cent.
"Small and medium businesses are key to supporting the local economy and over 1000 small and medium businesses have been engaged on defence capital infrastructure and facilities projects since 2019."
She said supporting Indigenous-owned businesses was also important in the government's commitment to Closing the Gap.
"Defence's Indigenous Procurement policy assists businesses to participate in the economy and grow. Of the 33 projects committed to since 2019, 13 are Indigenous-owned, which is a significant achievement and has resulted in a commitment of over $195 million to those businesses," Ms Price said.
Construction is planned to start in late-2022 and is expected to finish in late-2024.