iscover
Babcock Australasia has signed a $250 million, eight-year contract with the Australian Border Force (ABF), extending a 30-year partnership to safeguard Australia’s northern approaches.
Under the agreement, Babcock will deliver two new Airbus H145 D3 helicopters, equipped with advanced sensors, mission management systems, and long-range fuel tanks, enhancing surveillance and response capability in the strategically critical Torres Strait.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
The contract also includes the provision of air crews and ongoing aircraft maintenance.
Operating from Horn Island, Babcock’s all-weather airborne service supports multi-agency operations, helping deter illegal fishing, unauthorised maritime arrivals, and marine pollution. The new aircraft are expected to enter service in September 2026.
To support the expanded capability, Babcock will recruit 16 additional staff, including pilots, surveillance crew, and engineers. The company says the move also underlines its ongoing commitment to local engagement, workforce development, and infrastructure in the Torres Strait region.
Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland said the contract reinforced the company’s long-standing role in national security.
“Safeguarding our borders is critical to ensuring Australia’s security,” he said.
“These state-of-the-art aircraft bring world-class surveillance technology to our northern approaches. We are proud of our three-decade partnership with the Australian Border Force and our ongoing support of the Torres Strait community.”
Babcock has provided airborne services to the ABF since 1995.
