Delivering Air Combat, Mobility and Logistics: RAAF Base Amberley Visit

SUPPORTING our airmen and women through base and equipment upgrades was the focus of a visit to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley today, Minister for Defence Personnel Michael McCormack says.

"The men and women of the Australian Defence Force serve our country with distinction and honour, often in the face of insurmountable challenges and personal sacrifice," Mr McCormack said.

"As the Minister for Defence Personnel, I want to thank each and every member of the ADF for their service, and I want to ensure they are given the facilities and equipment they need to keep them safe and to help them achieve their mission of defending our nation.

"I am proud to be part of a Government which has invested in our defence force by increasing spending to two percent of GDP, and rolling out defence investment and industry plans totalling $195 billion in upgrades to our military capability.

"This investment means new and better kit for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, upgrades to bases and facilities, and an unprecedented spend on local defence industry – all of which is helping to build local economies and create local jobs."

Mr McCormack said RAAF Base Amberley was being upgraded in preparation for the arrival of new aircraft, including the Growler and the Spartan.

"Amberley is a major operational base for the Air Force and plays a vital role in deploying air combat, mobility and logistics support, including to humanitarian missions and domestic emergency response operations," Mr McCormack said.

"It is great to have the opportunity to meet the RAAF members who dedicate so much of their lives to the Australian Defence Force and hear firsthand about their important work.

"I have also had the opportunity to inspect the construction and upgrade work being undertaken on base. The Government is investing $850 million at Amberley over the decade and a further $700 million between 2025-26 and 2035-36.

"This investment is ensuring our airmen and woman have the equipment and facilities they need to accomplish their mission at home and abroad, while increasing local economic activity, building local communities and creating local jobs.

"This Government will always support our defence personnel and veterans, while investing in defence and defence industry, and creating local opportunities in the process."