Fed: Sikorsky reveals Townsville plant proposal

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2003
Fed: Sikorsky reveals Townsville plant proposal

By Paul Osborne

BRISBANE, Dec 18 AAP - US helicopter giant Sikorsky would set up a $500 million manufacturing
base in Queensland if it won a major defence contract, the company said today.

Sikorsky is one of three bidders for a defence force contract, estimated to be worth
$5 billion, to revitalise Australia's helicopter inventory.

Sikorsky general manager for Australian programs Graeme Breen said today the north
Queensland city of Townsville would be the likely base for its proposed program to upgrade
and build parts for US Army-style Black Hawk helicopters.

The company has proposed the ADF have a uniform fleet of 48 Black Hawks, including
12 new aircraft and 36 upgraded to the same standard.

The aircraft have seen service more recently in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor.

Mr Breen said the Townsville plant would create around 80 direct jobs.

It is understood the first phase of the contract program, known as Air 9000, will be
completed by mid-2004 with the first aircraft entering service at the end of 2006.

Two other contractors, French company Eurocopter and Italian-British venture Agusta
Westland, are also in the running.

An inquiry this week found no evidence to back a claim by a whistleblower that the
Air 9000 contract process had been rigged to ensure the Black Hawk, the Army's favoured
option, won the competition.

AAP pjo/sc/sjb/jlw

KEYWORD: SIKORKSY

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