Overview
- Two AH-64E Apache helicopters arrived at RAAF Base Townsville via a US Air Force C‑17, the first of 29 acquired under a A$4.5 billion 2022 deal.
- Defence says additional aircraft will be delivered before year’s end, with the full fleet due by 2029.
- The Darwin-based 1st Aviation Regiment is scheduled to relocate to Townsville by 2028 as the ARH Tiger fleet is retired.
- A seven-year, $306 million initial support contract with Boeing Defence Australia underpins sustainment and is expected to create hundreds of jobs in Queensland.
- A Townsville aviation training academy run by Aviation Australia and Boeing Defence Australia is slated to start in January 2026 to train local technicians and aircrew.