{"id":34958,"date":"2025-09-17T03:14:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T17:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=34958"},"modified":"2025-09-17T03:14:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T17:14:11","slug":"raaf-base-townsville-prepares-for-apache-fleet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/09\/17\/raaf-base-townsville-prepares-for-apache-fleet\/","title":{"rendered":"RAAF Base Townsville prepares for Apache fleet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The foundations are almost complete and the first structures are beginning to take shape as RAAF Base Townsville forges ahead with infrastructure works, to prepare for the arrival of Australian Army\u2019s AH-64E Apache helicopter fleet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Albanese Government is investing $700 million for critical infrastructure upgrades and facilities works in Townsville. The works support the introduction of the Apache helicopters, including accommodation for the 16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters who recently relocated from Brisbane, and for the 1st Aviation Regiment who have commenced their relocation from Darwin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Apache is the most advanced helicopter currently in operation. Its introduction into service will be a step change in Army\u2019s aviation capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Basing Apache in Townsville alongside the expanded CH-47F Chinook fleet allows Army to generate, sustain and deploy a stronger and more resilient helicopter capability for Defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These critical infrastructure works are part of the Albanese Government\u2019s focus on investing in Australia\u2019s northern bases, in line with the&nbsp;<em>2024 National Defence Strategy<\/em>. Works underway include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>New aircraft hangars, as well as renovations to existing hangars;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New working accommodation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New training and command facilities;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A simulation hall to accommodate Apache Pilot Simulation Training and the Army Aviation Training Centre Attack Helicopter Wing; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Multi-storey car park facilities to support personnel working at the base.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The construction phase of the project is set to inject $375 million into the North Queensland economy and bring significant investment into local construction trades, industries and suppliers. At the peak of construction, more than 275 jobs will be created within the Townsville region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Defence has partnered with CPB Contractors as the managing contractor for the works, who are committed to generating opportunities for local tradies to upskill. This commitment to offer new entry-level pathways to locals, supports the Albanese Government\u2019s aim to build stronger capability within north Queensland\u2019s workforce.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Construction works are expected to be completed by 2028.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBy strengthening our northern bases, we\u2019re not just investing in infrastructure \u2014we\u2019re safeguarding our national security and ensuring the ADF can defend Australia\u2019s interests.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRAAF Base Townsville is critical to our operations in the North and this $700 million transformation will help ensure Australia\u2019s Defence estate is fit for purpose and ready to support operations in our region.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re also committed to supporting the local industry and businesses who have been chosen to help deliver the program of works, which will create more than 275 new jobs for North Queenslanders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Nita Green:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;RAAF Base Townsville plays an important role in protecting our nation and our communities. There&#8217;s no clearer example of that than the role played by the Army&#8217;s 5th Aviation Regiment in the response to the most recent North Queensland floods.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese upgrades will support the personnel that support the community. That&#8217;s why they are so vital for Townsville.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The foundations are almost complete and the first structures are beginning to take shape as RAAF Base Townsville forges ahead with infrastructure works, to prepare for the arrival of Australian Army\u2019s AH-64E Apache helicopter fleet.&nbsp; The Albanese Government is investing $700 million for critical infrastructure upgrades and facilities works in Townsville. The works support the &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/09\/17\/raaf-base-townsville-prepares-for-apache-fleet\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;RAAF Base Townsville prepares for Apache fleet&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aussie"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34958"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34959,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34958\/revisions\/34959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}