Australia’s federal government has unveiled a $582.5 million project to upgrade the capabilities of the Royal Australia Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, creating jobs across the country.

Christopher Pyne (Minister for Defence Industry) and Marise Payne (Minister for Defence) announced that Boeing Defence Australia had secured the contract at a ceremony held at RAAF Base Williamtown; the aerospace firm will upgrade the aircraft’s airborne early warning and control capability.

Mr Pyne said the upgrade, which is likely to be completed by mid-2022, is expected to create 165 highly skilled jobs across Boeing Defence Australia offices, with 120 in Brisbane and 45 split between the RAAF bases at Amberley and Williamtown.

“The Wedgetail is a modified Boeing 737-700, with the addition of advanced multi-role electronically scanned array radar and 10 mission crew consoles. It is one of the most advanced pieces of aerospace technology in the Australian Defence Force.”