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The Australian Army has selected Boeing Defence Australia to provide ongoing maintenance and sustainment for the H135 “Juno” helicopter fleet, making the company the ADF’s main helicopter sustainment provider.
This contract will support 30 new roles across engineering, maintenance and supply chain roles that have been created in Brisbane and at the Army Aviation Training Centre at Swartz Barracks in Oakey, where a fleet of five H135 helicopters has now begun flying operations to deliver initial aircrew training.
“BDA’s trusted and proven defence aviation sustainment capability has enhanced the ADF’s air power for three decades, and we are now leveraging that expertise on the H135 fleet,” said Naomi Smith, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) sustainment operations director.
The new sustainment program has also created opportunities for local industry. Victorian company Microflite has delivered conversion training for current BDA aircrew; Queensland-based rotary training provider HeliTSA is conducting ongoing airframe maintenance training; and Safran Helicopter Engines Australia is providing Arrius engine maintenance training along with through-life engine sustainment support.
The H135 is the fourth ADF helicopter variant sustained by BDA, joining the Boeing CH-47F Chinooks, future AH-64E Apaches and the Airbus EC135 T2+. In addition to delivering platform sustainment services, BDA supported the rapid acquisition of the H135 fleet.
“We look forward to continuing the close partnerships with Army, CASG and industry forged on the CH-47F and Helicopter Aircrew Training System programs to ensure the readiness of the H135 helicopters for the next generation of Army aircrew,” Smith added.
Its Helicopter Aircrew Training System team led the disassembly of the aircraft in the UK, oversaw their transportation to Australia, managed reassembly at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, and conducted subsequent flight testing.
This initiative not only strengthens the ADF’s operational capabilities but also reinforces Australia’s commitment to supporting local industry and creating skilled jobs in the defence sector.
