Australia Progressing Plans to Upgrade Cocos Keeling Islands Airport to Support P-8A MPA Operations

18 Juni 2019


Cocos Keeling and Christmast Island in Indian Ocean (image : Google Maps)

Australia is moving ahead with plans to upgrade facilities at the Cocos Keeling Islands airport to support operations using P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA): a move that will significantly extend the country’s surveillance capability in the northern Indian Ocean.

A Department of Defence (DoD) Request for Tender released on 14 June sought planning proposals by 8 August under Project 8129 for the strengthening and widening of runways, taxiways and aprons, improvements to airfield stormwater infrastructure, and refurbishment of airfield ground lighting “to meet [the Department of] Defence’s operational and support requirements”.

The estimated value of the upgrade was put at AUD190–220 million (USD133–154 million).

(Jane's)

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