BAE Systems Australia worked with the Australian government to stand up a new aircraft coating facility at its Williamtown aerospace site in Newcastle, New South Wales.
According to the company, the government-funded facility will support the future sustainment requirements of the Royal Australian Air Force’s F-35 fleet. The service currently operates 63 F-35As and plans to acquire an additional 72 units.
BAE Systems said the expanding Williamtown operations will meet the RAAF’s increasing aircraft sustainment needs, adding that the facility will soon accommodate international F-35 fleet partners.
The company intends to execute capital works across the Williamtown precinct until 2026. BAE Systems recently activated new maintenance bays and the Asia Pacific Regional Warehouse at the site and another 13 bays will be established soon.
The defense contractor aims to employ around 750 people to support F-35 sustainment within Australia. Over 350 personnel from the pool will directly work on the program.
Andrew Gresham, the company’s managing director of defense delivery, said the Williamtown aerospace site’s expanded capabilities to support the F-35 fleet will generate hundreds of jobs in the area.
