Construction of South Australia’s latest major defence asset, the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF), developed by Renewal SA, is set to be completed within weeks.

Works were originally scheduled for completion in late April, however the collaborative efforts of Renewal SA and construction partner BESIX Watpac will enable the project to finish in early March.

This ensures it will be delivered to the Commonwealth Department of Defence on budget and ahead of schedule.

Substantive construction has been completed on the $200 million multi hangar aircraft facility, located adjacent to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Edinburgh.

Once operational, the state‑of‑the‑art facility will significantly enhance Australia’s sovereign capability to maintain and modify military aircraft.

Tim Tape, Renewal SA’s Development Director of Industrial and Defence, said the early completion reflected both the quality and efficiency of the project.

“We have exceeded all our key milestones for this project,” Mr Tape said.

“Our construction partners are now putting the final touches on the base building works, with practical completion targeted for early March.

“We will then step aside to allow the Department of Defence to mobilise for communications and security fit‑outs by June, when we expect the DMMF to be fully operational.”

Construction of the 2.1‑hectare facility was delivered at an unprecedented scale.

More than 100 construction workers on site every day over the past two years have overseen the delivery of 190,000 tonnes of fill material, the pouring of 8,100 cubic metres of concrete and the assembly of an 1,800‑tonne structural steel framework.

Much of the steel was sourced locally from the Whyalla Steelworks, supporting South Australian industry.

Late last year, four hangar doors, each almost the size of an Olympic swimming pool, were assembled and installed, enabling internal fit‑out works to commence.

“This is the largest standalone construction project ever undertaken by Renewal SA,” Mr Tape said.

“It involved significant complexity, but the successful completion of this facility demonstrates our capability to deliver nationally significant defence infrastructure.

“The DMMF positions Renewal SA to play a leading role in the continued growth of South Australia’s defence industry over coming decades.”

BESIX Watpac’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Baker said the milestone reflected the company’s productivity‑led approach.

“Our early design engagement and re‑engineering of the structure saved considerable time at the front end, and exploring alternative methodologies as well as using digital construction tools further accelerated the program,” Mr Baker said.

“Reaching this milestone early is a real credit to our collaborative partnership with Renewal SA, our stakeholders and subcontractors, while also building the local capability needed to support South Australia’s growing infrastructure pipeline.”

Final works include the installation of a high security fences around the site perimeter and a 24‑hour video surveillance system.

A major civil and landscaping works program surrounding the facility is also almost complete.

A dedicated tow way linking the RAAF Base Edinburgh to the DMMF will enable the safe movement of aircraft between the two sites and upgrades to the adjacent Womma Road will support secure access for the up to 180 personnel who will eventually work at the facility.

“We are very keen to finally see this significant piece of state and national infrastructure come online,” Mr Tape said.

From mid‑year, the DMMF will begin supporting the long‑term maintenance and modification requirements for the Australian Defence Force’s fleet of RAAF P‑8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and RAAF E‑7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.

Last year it was announced New Zealand Defence Force P‑8A Poseidon aircraft will also undergo comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul at the DMMF, while United States Navy MQ‑4C Triton aircraft will undergo repair at the adjacent RAAF Base Edinburgh.

Renewal SA will retain ownership of the facility, leased to the Commonwealth Department of Defence for 30 years, with two 10-year extension options.

The project has created about 450 construction jobs during the build and will soon create 80 new highly skilled defence industry jobs including roles in advanced aircraft maintenance, engineering, avionics and logistics.

Boeing, in collaboration with the State Government, is delivering a comprehensive education program for dozens of trainees, equipping the facility’s inaugural workforce with essential, highly technical skills ahead of its launch.

The Commonwealth Government selected South Australia as the preferred location for the DMMF in 2021, highlighting the state’s strategic importance.