A new $200 million defence facility has officially opened at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, strengthening Australia’s ability to maintain and upgrade key military aircraft domestically while also supporting regional defence partnerships.
The Deep Maintenance Modification Facility (DMMF) will carry out long-term maintenance and modification work on the Royal Australian Air Force’s Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a critical platform used for anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, intelligence gathering and search-and-rescue operations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the facility marked a major step in strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability.
“This facility is a critical investment in Australia’s ability to maintain and sustain key Defence capabilities at home,” Marles said.
“By embedding deep maintenance and upgrade work for the P-8A Poseidon fleet in Australia, we are strengthening sovereign capability, improving force readiness and reducing reliance on overseas sustainment.”
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the project would also provide a major boost to Australian jobs, industry and technical skills.
“This facility is about more than infrastructure, it is about Australian industry, Australian workers and Australian skills supporting Australia’s national defence.”
The government said the facility is expected to become a regional hub for aircraft sustainment, with the Royal New Zealand Air Force set to begin deep maintenance work for its own P-8A fleet at the South Australian site from 2028.
The opening forms part of the Albanese Government’s broader defence strategy aimed at expanding Australia’s domestic defence manufacturing and sustainment capabilities.
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