New chinook maintenance contract for boeing in townsville

New Chinook maintenance contract for Boeing in Townsville

Queensland-based Boeing Defence Australia has been named as preferred supplier for the maintenance of the Army's 10 new Chinook (CH-47F) helicopters in Townsville.

The contract, with an estimated value of up to $20 million over five years, is scheduled to commence on 1 January 2017 and expected to generate up to 18 specialised jobs for the Townsville area.

The 10 Boeing CH-47F heavy-lift Chinooks are operated by the Army's 5 Aviation Regiment out of RAAF Base Townsville. The new aircraft are expected to be utilised in moving cargo, vehicles, artillery and personnel as well as in search and rescue and disaster relief.

The new Chinooks replace the older CH-47D model, which have been maintained by Boeing since 2010.