BAE Systems Australia selected to support RAAF fleet of Hawk 127 trainer aircraft.

Under the change to the existing Hawk Lead-In Fighter In Service Support Phase 3 contract, BAE Systems will now provide the total Hawk sustainment solution, managing both deeper and operational maintenance.

The contract reinforced the enduring partnership between the Company and the Department of Defence in ensuring the Hawk remains an effective training platform.

BAE Systems Australia Director Aerospace Steve Drury said: “By building on the unified approach we have with the Department of Defence to deliver Hawk deeper maintenance, our operational maintenance solution enables a more holistic approach to Hawk support that maximises aircraft serviceability for less cost.”

Mr Drury continued: “This outcome is a testament to our people and performance over more than a decade with 78 Wing, 76 and 79 Squadrons and the Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office. We are proud to be expanding our support of this important RAAF capability.”

The new operational maintenance arrangement will be phased-in from October this year.

The Royal Australian Air Force ordered 33 Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighters (LIFs) in June 1997, 12 of which were produced in the UK and 21 in Australia.

Project to upgrade the RAAF's Hawks to a standard similar to the Hawk 128 standard began in 2014, and it is planned that the two squadrons will begin operations with these aircraft in 2017.