Australian Department of Defence, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald has welcomed the first step in bringing forward a proposal for the construction of facilities to support the new Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) capability at Queensland's Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera.
The proposal has today been referred to the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Public Works.
“The proposed facilities, which are budgeted at $17.45 million, will support the operation, training and maintenance requirements for the new TUAV capability,” Senator Macdonald said.
“The project will also provide working accommodation for the new 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment, recently established to operate the TUAVs,” he said.
The TUAV facilities project combines the refurbishment of a number of existing facilities at Gallipoli Barracks, with construction of some new purpose-built facilities to support the TUAVs specialised maintenance and training requirements.
The TUAV is a remote controlled capability which is able to provide airborne surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisitions to assist land operations. They will provide wide-ranging surveillance and work closely with the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter.
Senator Macdonald said the new facilities will provide essential support to this new capability.
Subject to Parliamentary clearance, construction on the project will commence in late 2006 and is planned to be completed by late 2007.
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