The United States Force Posture Initiatives continue to provide opportunities for local industry, as another Australian company secures United States-funded work to develop infrastructure in the Top End.
Australian businesses and joint ventures have won four of five United States-funded contracts awarded to the value of US$198.4 million (approximately $296.2 million AUD) since the beginning of the US Force Posture Initiatives.
Director General Force Posture Initiatives, Air Commodore Sandy Turner, said the latest contract was awarded to Nova Nacap, a United States/Australian joint venture to build a bulk fuel facility at RAAF Base Tindal.
"The $120 million project will provide fuel storage and associated infrastructure at RAAF Base Tindal to support Enhanced Air Cooperation under the US Force Postures Initiatives," Air Commodore Sandy Turner said.
"This US contract also provides opportunities to Australian sub-contractor Saunders International, which has been awarded a $8.5 million sub-contract to Nova Nacap to construct bulk fuel storage tanks."
The project will be delivered in parallel with a similar project for RAAF Tindal Airfield upgrades and associated infrastructure, which is part of the Australian-funded $1.5 billion program of works that commenced in late 2020.
Australia and the US are investing in a range of US Force Posture Initiatives projects with extensive opportunities to support Australian industry across multiple sectors including construction, professional services, maintenance and logistics.
In addition to construction contracts, there will be opportunities in sub-contracting, maintenance and supply arrangements that will benefit local suppliers.
Infrastructure to be delivered to support the US Force Posture Initiatives are located across the Defence estate at Robertson Barracks, RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, as well as training areas and ranges in the Northern Territory.
The US Force Posture Initiatives are an extension of Australia's existing Defence alliance with the United States which comprises Marine Rotational Force-Darwin and Enhanced Air Cooperation.