Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I can advise the Senate that the initial approved investment for the MQ-4C Triton, which was announced earlier this week, is $1.4 billion. The initial approved investment includes the first of the six Triton aircraft and associated systems, $364 million for new facilities and infrastructure and a $200 million cooperative development program with the United States Navy, which I also referred to in the Senate earlier this week, which will ensure that we are able to contribute directly to the development, production and sustainment of this aircraft. The total acquisition cost of the six aircraft and the associated systems is expected to be around $3 billion, which is indeed within the provision of the Integrated Investment Program. As was indicated in the white paper, that is a cost of around $3 billion to $4 billion.

This announcement is an important part of the government's long-term plan to provide Australia with one of the most advanced maritime patrol capabilities in the world that will assist us to support our borders and to support security in our region. It is a step change in capability for the Royal Australian Air Force. Our maritime area, as I've said here and elsewhere, covers approximately 10 per cent of the Earth's surface. What the Triton will be capable of, in addition to its work that it'll do with the P-8s, is supporting missions of over 24 hours duration, covering an area of over a million square nautical miles, which is actually larger than the full area of the state of Western Australia, in one exercise or one activity over 24 hours on station. It is a very significant capability and, together with the P-8A Poseidon, the Triton and Poseidon will work together as complementary systems, very much enhancing our antisubmarine warfare and our maritime strike capability as well as our ability to monitor and secure our important maritime— (Time expired)