Rosebank Engineering opens F-35 wheels and brakes repair depot

Rosebank Engineering has previously provided maintenance, repair, and overhaul support to the Royal Australian Air Force on F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet (retired) and in-service F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft.

Air Vice-Marshal Graham Edwards, head of aerospace systems dvision, welcomed Rosebank’s activation of its wheels and brakes repair depot under the F-35 Global Support Solution for aircraft operating in, or deployed to, the Indo-Pacific region.

“This activation of the repair service is an important contribution to the F-35 enterprise in the Indo-Pacific region,” AVM Edwards said.

“Rosebank Engineering was awarded a $2.26 million grant to support its depot activation for wheels and brakes, providing an investment in Australian skills and jobs as well as delivering a significant export opportunity.

“Australian industry is playing an increasingly important role in the production and sustainment of the global F-35 fleet, which has now reached over 975 aircraft of an expected global fleet of over 3,000.

“To date, more than 70 Australian companies have directly shared more than $4.13 billion in global F-35 production and sustainment contracts.”

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Rob Weitzman, Lockheed Martin program director for F-35 Australia, also welcomed the depot activation.

“Rosebank Engineering’s new F-35 wheels and brakes repair facility will provide critical support infrastructure to F-35 fleets operating in the Indo-Pacific region including the Royal Australian Air Force,” said Weitzman.

“This is an example of Australia’s world-class engineering capabilities and demonstrates how the F-35 program is contributing significantly to the growth and development of Australia’s defence industry, which has been awarded over $4.13 billion in global production and sustainment contracts through the F-35 program to date.”

The first F-35A aircraft was accepted into Australian service in 2018. The first F-35A squadron, No. 3 Squadron, became operational in 2021. All 72 aircraft are expected to be fully operational by 2023.

The F-35A features a low observable design, internal weapons and fuel carriage, electro-optical and infrared sensors, advanced voice and data link communications, advanced radar, and a range of air-to-surface and air-to-air weapons.

Australia has committed to 72 F-35A aircraft for three operational squadrons at RAAF Base Williamtown, RAAF Base Tindal, and a training squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.