Air
Already strong in defence aerospace, NSW is moving forward with plans to establish a defence and aerospace precinct at the new Western Sydney Airport.
Newcastle and the Hunter Valley are centres of Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) activity. Australia has been successful in securing initial component work for the JSF (F-35) program, and a substantial amount of this sustainment work is planned to be conducted at BAE Systems site and the adjacent precinct located at Williamtown.
The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) is implementing a Global Support Solution (GSS) with 12 nations competing for work across three regions: North America, Europe, and AsiaPacific. Through Australia's JSF Division (Department of Defence), BAE Systems Australia and partners are bidding for further sustainment opportunities within the Asia-Pacific region.
The JSF sustainment opportunities have the potential to deliver over 200 new skilled jobs in NSW. A Common User Facility at Williamtown and a Regional Sustainment Hub for JSF are initiatives currently progressing in the Defence Aerospace domain.
Major military aviation primes Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin all have a major presence in NSW, along with numerous associated businesses.
The Royal Australian Air Force presence is not limited to Williamtown, with major facilities also located at Glenbrook and Richmond. A strong Naval aviation presence exists at Nowra on the south coast, which is also the home of defence's tri-service helicopter pilot training.