Australian Apache Guardians will be based at Townsville

Australian Army's 1st Aviation Regiment, currently based at Robertson Barracks near Darwin (NT) will relocate to Garbutt Barracks at RAAF Base Townsville (Qld.)

The Australian government is investing nearly AUD700 million to upgrade RAAF Base Townsville to support the new AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters, which will be based there from 2025. The AH-64Es will be operated by the 1st Aviation Regiment (AVN), which currently operates the Tiger ARH at Robertson Barracks until its planned withdrawal from service in 2028.

The Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, said the relocation of the 1st AVN to Townsville would help Defence sustain the new helicopters more efficiently and effectively, and would mean more high-skilled, secure jobs in Townsville. “The hubs created as a result of consolidating and re-locating our helicopter capabilities will also generate other opportunities for international partners to operate and be supported in Australia.”

It is not yet known if Australian Army aviation assets will be based at Robertson Barracks after 2028, but accodring to Mr Conroy “Defence-related investment in Darwin will grow over the coming years as new capabilities are moved to the north. This will include investment in major capital facilities and a net workforce growth in the Top End.”

On 3 June 2021, the US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Australia of 29 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 3,5 billion.

Photo (just illustrative) by Russell Hill (via jetphotos.com)