A new United States-funded fuel facility at RAAF Base Darwin represents another significant milestone of the enduring partnership between Australian and the United States.
Referenced in the ‘United States-Australia Joint Leaders’ Statement – Building an Innovative Alliance’ this week, the newly completed fuel facility enhances operational capabilities and support for training exercises to enable Enhanced Air Cooperation between the countries, and is a significant investment under the United States Force Posture Initiatives (USFPI) infrastructure program.
The project aligns with the Government’s response to the Defense Strategic Review to increase preparedness, invest in our northern infrastructure network and deliver resilient fuel solutions.
Australian businesses and joint ventures have won four of the five US-funded contracts for capital infrastructure delivery under the Force Posture Agreement, representing approximately US$198 million of United States investment since the start of the USFPI.
Valued at US$76 million, the fuel storage project was managed by United States Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Pacific with the construction contract awarded to Nova Nacap JV, a United States/Australian Joint Venture. Construction was completed in June 2023.
Deputy Secretary Security and Estate, Ms Celia Perkins, said Australia and the United States are investing in a range of projects to enable enhanced force posture cooperation, with significant opportunities for Australian industry involvement across sectors including construction, professional services, maintenance and logistics.
“Defense has engaged extensively with the United States on this project ensuring we have the enablers in place to best support activities under the Force Posture Agreement.
“Infrastructure to support USPFI is located across the Defense estate, including at Robertson Barracks and RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, as well as training areas across the Northern Territory.”