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

As well as modernising our training facilities, the government is investing in a range of supporting infrastructure around Australia. As well as the works that I referred to at RAAF Base Edinburgh, which is the Poseidon's main operating base, we're also investing in upgrades to forward operating bases: RAAF Base Pearce, in Western Australia; RAAF Base Darwin; and RAAF Base Townsville.

And last month, of course, the government announced that we will also acquire the MQ-4C Triton long-range remotely piloted surveillance aircraft. That is going to complement our fleet of Poseidons with the ability to conduct sustained operations at very long ranges.

Both of those aircraft will complement each other, will enable greater interoperability with our key allies—including, of course, the United States—and will enable us to contribute more effectively, more often, to regional security. Those are investments by the Turnbull government which provide Australia with one of the most sophisticated maritime surveillance capabilities in the world and demonstrate our commitment to securing Australia's long-term national security.