The sustainment contract, delivered through a foreign military sales (FMS) agreement with the US Navy, forms part of a broader push to enhance opportunities for Australian industries.

Sikorsky Australia is expected to undertake ongoing sustainment support from its maintenance, logistics and repair facility in Nowra, NSW.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contract extension would generate 10 new jobs in the Shoalhaven region.

“This new contract recognises the increased skill and expertise of the Australian workforce as this would previously have been completed in the United States,” Minister Price said.

“The increase in services provided by Sikorsky Australia will continue to boost Australia’s defence industry and broaden the ongoing opportunities available to local companies to support the Romeo fleet.”

Minister Price acknowledged the critical role played by US Navy in supporting Australia’s Defence capability.

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“The broad scope and enduring nature of the Australia-United States Alliance offers mutual benefit to both our nations,” she added.

“This allows for the ongoing provision of support to Australia’s next-generation maritime combat helicopters.

“The contract expansion demonstrates the strong ties between our navies and highlights the internationally recognised strength of Australia’s defence industry.”

Senator for NSW and retired Major General Jim Molan welcomed the contract expansion, which he said is a “real win for the region”.

“The Morrison government is continuing to back local businesses and local jobs and this contract is recognition by the US Navy of the substantial expertise which we have in the Shoalhaven region from the $270 billion investment in Australia’s defence capability,” he said.

The MH-60R Romeo multi-mission helicopters, which first entered service in 2013, provides submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare capability.

The MH-60R is equipped with advanced combat systems, designed to employ Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and the Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedo.

The helicopters are primarily deployed in anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare missions, but are also used for search and rescue, logistics support, personnel transport and medical evacuation.

[Related: Sikorsky demonstrates S-97 RAIDER capability]

Charbel Kadib

News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.