The company said that under the terms of the deal, which it won after an open industry competition, it would acquire and modify four Bombardier Challenger special mission jets and then operate and maintain them for the duration of the contract which covers search and rescue over land and at sea.

The full value of the contract could rise to A$700 million if Australian authorities opt to add three more years to the contract.

(Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by James Davey)