RAAF Selects A330

The Military Transport Division of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space
Company (EADS) teamed with Qantas Defence Services has been selected as the
preferred tenderer for the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of new
air-to-air refuelling aircraft, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced
today.
Senator Hill said the government had selected the EADS A330 Multi-Role
Tanker Transport Aircraft to replace the RAAF's ageing Boeing 707 aircraft
in an approximate $2 billion project.
"The five new aircraft will be capable of refuelling F/A-18, F-111, Airborne
Early Warning and Control and Joint Strike Fighter aircraft," Senator Hill
said.
"They will also have a significant strategic air lift capacity when not
engaged in aerial refuelling tasks, including the ability to carry 293
passengers and a significant amount of cargo.
"The acquisition of an additional aircraft will provide a big boost to
operational capabilities - giving the RAAF a wider range of activities in
one area of operations while also supporting refuelling and transport
activities in a second area."
"Our aircraft, for example, would enable non stop deployment of six F/A-18s
from Darwin to Butterworth in Malaysia, while carrying 43 tonnes of support
equipment and stores."
Senator Hill said that recent experiences had showed the vital importance of
this type of aircraft as a force multiplier during combat operations. This
was borne out by the extremely valuable work done by the RAAF 707 tankers
over Afghanistan during the War on Terror, and by the high demand for aerial
refuelling during the recent Iraqi Freedom operations.
Contract negotiations will now commence with EADS for the purchase of five
aircraft.
The basic aircraft will be constructed in Europe, with four of the five
having refuelling modifications installed and integrated by Qantas in
Brisbane. Qantas Defence Services will also conduct through life support of
the aircraft in Australia.
"Australian industry will also be involved in the design of the refuelling
system, project management and production of aircraft components and engine
parts for export," Senator Hill said.
"Over the life of the program, the value of the work to be undertaken by
Australian industry and the associated technology to be transferred to
Australia exceeds $500 million."
The project will be a significant defence industry boost for Australia.
Senator Hill said that all the aircraft would be fitted with an Electronic
Warfare Self Protection suite for defence against shoulder fired surface to
air missiles. Additionally, the EADS tender package includes a hospital bed
kit for emergency medical evacuations and advanced simulators for crew
training.
Contract signature is expected later this year, with the aircraft planned to
enter service from 2007.