Keeping 28 Australian Defence Airfields operational

In an unpredictable world, Defence airfields need to remain operational at all times.

The Australian Defence Force is the largest owner of airfields in Australia and each one is essential to supporting the defence of the country. Maintaining these airfields in an operational state at all times helps ensure the Defence Force can continue to use the asset in defending Australia's national interests.

Beca has been providing aircraft pavement maintenance advice and design services to the Australian Defence Force since 2009. And since 2013 we have been delivering full design and PMCA services with our Joint Venture partner, Aurecon. We inspect all 28 airfields across the country; prepare Pavement Inspection Reports; recommend annual maintenance programmes; advise on inputs into defence capital works; plan, design and specify works; and provide technical construction monitoring and PMCA services. 

It’s a major task, so airfields are prioritised based on a three tier system of relative importance. From RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory to RAAF Base Williamstown in New South Wales, every airfield is unique – some serve helicopters, others have the capacity for fighter jets, almost all are used for training, and some are shared with civilian airports.

We’re using our expertise to find ways to improve efficiency during inspections such as georeferencing and database management.

Collaborating with the Defence team at all times, our number one priority is to keep our airfields primed and ready for action.