Military helicopters

The Territory has a long history of supporting Australia’s Defence Forces, and Defence-related contracts continue to play a major role in the Top End economy. This includes the full range of supplies and services, from stationery requisites through to ship and heavy machinery repair. Darwin-based companies have won a significant number of Defence contracts in recent years and the sector looks poised to expand with considerable interest from Darwin business in Defence industry seminars, workshops and forums.

The NT is home to approximately 10% of the Australian Defence Force combat personnel. It
is also home to the ADF's newest and most advanced platforms, such as the Tiger Armed
Reconnaissance Helicopters, Armidale Class Patrol Boats, F/A 18 Hornets and the Abrams M1A1
main battle tank.

Defence expenditure (salaries and operational) in the Territory was estimated at over $828 million in 2003-04; in addition, there was a large capital works program. Since 1995, when the Army relocation began in earnest, defence expenditure in the Territory has increased at an average rate of 11% per annum. The Defence population, including dependants, has risen from 6200 in June 1992 to about 13,000 in June 2004. The Defence community makes up 6.5% of the Territory’s population.

Major Defence sites in the Northern Territory include Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin, Robertson Barracks near Palmerston, HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, RAAF Base Darwin, RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine and the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap (with USA) near Alice Springs. In addition, the Northern Territory regularly hosts visits by overseas and Australian Navy vessels, defence training exercises and joint exercises with representatives of foreign Defence services. Bradshaw field training area, near Timber Creek, is now being developed and will form part of the Australia-US joint defence training capability.

The 65 million dollar development of Bradshaw Field Training Area and the Delamere Bombing Range for joint US Australian training is only the first of many new projects. Other opportunities, from 2007 onwards, include:

  • 41 Abrams tanks and 16 Tiger reconnaissance helicopters to be based at Robertson Barracks.
  • 14 Armidale Class patrol boats to be based at Darwin Naval Base.
  • A Defence investment of $170 million in the new suburb of Lyons in Darwin, including about 300 homes to house Defence personnel.
  • The new suburb of Muirhead in Darwin's north, involving the development of 300-500 lots for Defence personnel.
  • $90 million in upgrades to RAAF Base Tindal and support infrastructure for the Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft will commence in 2007.
  • $82 million to be spent at Robertson Barracks to house defence personnel and equipment.

The large Defence presence in the Northern Territory creates opportunities for development of Darwin as a regional supply, service and distribution centre. Increasingly, Territory companies are providing services to Defence prime contractors. To support the ongoing buil up of the Defence presence in the North, the Northern Territory Government is pursuing the development of a 60 hectare industrial park, to include a “Defence Support Hub” adjacent to Robertson Barracks.

The Defence Support Hub will enable prime contractors and SMEs who deliver valuable support to Defence, in particluar the Army, to establish high security strategic clusters close to their client. The location of the Defence Support Hub will provide easy access to not only Robertson Barracks but will be situated within minutes of East Arm Port, the City of Palmerston, Darwin International Airport and the Berrimah Railway Freight Terminal.

The Northern Territory Government is committed to working in partnership with business and industry to support the Defence sector. There has been a Defence support group within the Northern Territory Government since 1992. This role is now played by the Defence Support Division in the Department of Business and Employment. Its role is to identify and facilitate industry development opportunities in order to expand defence related businesses and activities in the Northern Territory.

The Department of Business and Employment also provides funding support to the Australian Industry and Defence Network, NT (AIDN NT). AIDN NT maximises defence operational support expenditure in the Northern Territory through major projects. The Defence Support Division works with AIDN NT to encourage the transfer and development of new Defence-related technology and skills in the Northern Territory.

For further information contact DBERD on 61 8 8999 5108, or click here for more information about Defence Support.

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