Defence SA’s concept for the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) in northern Adelaide has come to life through a partnership with Renewal SA and Defence Australia.

As a result, works have now begun on the construction of a four bay aircraft hangar to support the onshore maintenance and modification of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.

The milestone for the DMMF project was marked at an official sod turning and smoking ceremony on 5 September.

This is one of the most significant investments in critical defence infrastructure by the South Australian Government in history, second only to the pivotal Techport commitment in the 1980s which shaped South Australia’s standing as the nation’s naval shipbuilding capital. It follows an agreement with the Commonwealth Department of Defence (Defence), for the Government of South Australia oversee the construction of the $200 million facility.

The state-of-the-art facility will be used for the long-term deep maintenance and modification of the ADF’s fleet of Boeing 737 variant military aircraft, building critical sovereign capability to meet the nation’s Defence needs.

It will enable the upgrade and deep maintenance of the aircraft in Australia, improving the availability of the platform and ensure cutting-edge capabilities are fostered onshore.

The 2.1-hectare facility is located on a 16-hectare parcel of State Government owned land at Penfield, and will include offices, workshops, stores, amenities areas, plant rooms and a tow-way to connect the project area to the RAAF Base Edinburgh.

Design and construction partner BESIX Watpac will spearhead the construction of a 240 metre long, 60 metre wide and 25-metre-high four bay hangar.

The project is set to generate approximately 450 construction jobs over the two-year build, a prospect that BESIX Watpac CEO Mark Baker is pleased about.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the State Government for the first time to deliver the DMMF project – drawing on our extensive experience in delivering aviation and defence projects in South Australia,” he said.

Boeing Australia Managing Director Amy List said that the facility would deliver widespread benefits.

“The maintenance, repair and overhaul programs to be undertaken in this facility will create more than 50 new Boeing jobs, present exciting opportunities to local business and enhance the unmatched capability of the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon fleet to further bolster Australia’s defence capacity and readiness,” Ms List said.

Speaking at the event, Ms List reflected on her career which began as an engineering officer in the RAAF, working on the P3 aircraft.

“To be able to see us creating this facility which is going to build that opportunity for a brand-new generation of aircraft technicians is so exciting,” Ms List said.

“It’s wonderful to see people choosing to come and join defence, seeing their future in it, creating the skills, training and everything we will need to make sure they’re in safe hands.”

Once operational, the facility is expected to create highly skilled jobs such as mechanical, avionics and structural engineers, painters and ground servicing equipment trades. Boeing recently welcomed their first cohort of 16 Adelaide-based trainee aerospace workers, who will be trained to support the P-8A Poseidon Through Life Support program.

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Pictured from left to right: CEO of BESIX Watpac Mark Baker, Stephen Mullighan MP South Australian Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Hon Pat Conroy MP Minister for Defence Industry Australia, Air Commodore Scott Parry and Boeing Australia Managing Director Amy List.