In a major milestone for Australia's sovereign defence sustainment capability, the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments have officially opened the $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Edinburgh, South Australia.
The first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility will become a regional hub for the maintenance and sustainment of aircraft for the Australian Defence Force and that of our partners.
Delivered on time and on budget - a result of the strong partnership between the Federal and State governments - this facility will enable the long-term deep maintenance of the RAAF's P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to occur in Australia, and in doing so will support highly skilled local engineering, avionics and logistics jobs.
The 240 metre-long building has been designed to accommodate and support not just the P-8A Poseidon, but a range of other RAAF platforms and includes:
a four‑bay hangar capacity suitable for Boeing 737‑derivative aircraft;
aircraft docking systems to provide full aircraft access for deep maintenance and modification;
workshops to support structural, mechanical, avionics and mission‑system maintenance and modifications;
secure systems and infrastructure to support sustainment and upgrade activities for sensitive equipment; and
logistics and support workspaces to enable long‑duration maintenance events.
In a significant step for our ANZAC interoperability, the Royal New Zealand Air Force will also maintain and repair its fleet of P-8A aircraft at the South Australian facility from 2028 - further reinforcing our shared commitment to regional security and collective maritime capability.
Construction of the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility over the last two years created around 450 jobs and more than half of the structural steel used was from South Australia's Whyalla Steelworks.
The P-8A Poseidon is the cornerstone of Australia's anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and search and rescue capability.
In March 2025, Defence signed a $291 million support contract with Boeing Defence Australia to deliver upgrades to the P-8A Poseidon fleet, including an improved combat system, enhanced anti‑submarine warfare capability, and upgraded satellite communications to improve integration across the Australian Defence Force.
The first two P-8A Poseidon aircraft are currently being modified by the United States Navy, ensuring continued commonality and interoperability with our alliance partner. The remaining aircraft will be modified by Boeing Defence Australia at the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility, embedding this critical workforce in Australia.
The new facility is also set to become the workplace for students from the Malinauskas Labor Government's new technical college - The Heights Technical College - where Boeing has signed on as an employer partner.
More than 20 students are now studying aero skills to become aircraft maintenance technicians and engineers - the first course of its kind in the state. Students from the college attended today's opening.
By enabling long-term, deep maintenance and modification of P-8A Poseidon aircraft in Australia, the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are ensuring Defence capability, Australian industry, and the skilled workforce in South Australia grow together delivering enduring benefits for Australia's national security, defence industrial base and international partnerships.
South Australia's growing defence industry generated a record $2.015 billion in economic activity last financial year, more than double the $977 million produced in 2019-20.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
"This facility is a critical investment in Australia's ability to maintain and sustain key capabilities for our Defence Force here at home.
"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, exactly as set out in the National Defence Strategy.
"Just as importantly, this facility will support a skilled defence workforce and a resilient defence industrial base in South Australia, ensuring our Defence capability and Australian industry can continue to grow together.
Quotes attributable to Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas:
"The opening of this huge new defence aircraft maintenance facility in South Australia is a major milestone for Australia's defence sustainment capability.
"It is going to create important long-term careers right here in South Australia in the highly-technical field of aero skills.
"Students at The Heights Technical College will graduate not only with their high school certificate and an in-demand trade qualification - they will be able to walk straight into a highly-skilled career in aero skills at this new facility."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:
"This facility, built with steel from Whyalla, will sustain hundreds of long-term, secure defence jobs for South Australians.
"This is about more than infrastructure. It's a testament to the cooperation between the Albanese Government and Malinauskas state government, whether that be in saving the Whyalla steelworks or our commitment to a future made in Australia.
"The DMMF will sustain high value defence industry jobs in South Australia, grow a highly skilled workforce, and ensure Australian businesses play a central role in delivering advanced Defence capabilities."
Quotes attributable to South Australia Minister for Defence & Space Industries Chris Picton:
"The opening of this $200 million facility is an important milestone for defence jobs in our state.
"Previously these planes were sent offshore for maintenance and upgrades, now South Australians will be performing this work.
"This partnership between the Albanese and Malinauskas Labor Governments will create ongoing, highly-skilled, secure and well paid jobs in our state for decades to come."
