Boeing subsidiary Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has delivered the first two of 65 repainted aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from two separate facilities.

The RAAF accepted a repainted Orion AP-3C aircraft at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia and a C-130H Hercules at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales less than three months after contract date. Under the AUD $20 million agreement signed in March, BDA will paint 63 more RAAF fixed-wing aircraft over three years.

The AP-3C maritime surveillance aircraft spent 30 days in Air New Zealand’s paint facility in Christchurch. BDA partner Air New Zealand Engineering Services stripped and painted the aircraft while it simultaneously underwent maintenance support services provided by Australian Aerospace Limited.

“This added a layer of complexity, as we had to ensure that the maintenance activities were scheduled in between stripping and painting the aircraft,” said Dennis Mulligan, BDA Surface Finishing project manager. “Due to excellent collaboration among all parties, we were able to deliver the aircraft to the customer on time and within budget.”

Meanwhile, the first of three RAAF C-130H transport aircraft was repainted within three weeks as BDA partnered with regional supplier Flying Colours Aviation in Townsville, Queensland.

“Our successful start on this program is testament to BDA’s commitment to providing the same level of service to the RAAF fleet irrespective of location, as well as our local-partnership approach that draws on Boeing’s global supply chain and capabilities,” said Kim Gillis, managing director of Boeing Defence Australia.

“The preparation, remediation and painting of tactical derivative aircraft is a natural extension of the sustainment services that BDA currently provides the RAAF at Amberley and Williamtown,” Gillis added. “When we say we can deliver, we mean it.”
Over the next three years, BDA will prepare, remediate and paint aircraft across four of the RAAF’s mid-to large-sized platforms in multiple locations in Australia and New Zealand.

This month, BDA will begin painting the first of 28 Hawk-127 jet fighters at RAAF Base Amberley’s Corrosion Control Facility.