Defence Air Charter Flights for Military Cargo

Depth Logistics is adept at arranging air freight charter flights specialising in defence and military cargo, door to door anywhere in the world, including customs clearance. Our expertise, qualifications, capabilities and experience are relied upon by astute logistics decision makers to deliver their cargo on time, on budget, safely and securely. We mainly charter the Boeing 747-400ERF (Extended Range Freighter), which can uplift 112,760 kg or 755 m³ of cargo, through a network of carefully vetted, ITAR-compliant aircraft owners. Our team is contactable 24/7 and ready to respond immediately when lives or missions are at risk.

Why defence clients charter through Depth Logistics

• Vetted, ITAR-compliant operators: our aircraft owners can deploy aircraft to a task rapidly and hold a broad range of international landing rights.
• Remote and hostile destinations: we deliver cargo into remote locations and even hostile or politically charged environments.
• Security and confidentiality: our personnel and systems are trustworthy and reliable. Depth Logistics is a Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) member, ITAR and EAR compliant, and an Accredited Air Cargo Agent (AACA) with the Department of Home Affairs.
• Hands on for the whole journey: for special projects with sensitive and controlled goods, a member of our operations team will often accompany the cargo to its final destination. Not every job needs a charter. Our scheduled airfreight service moves sensitive and controlled cargo on regular flights, and for smaller items Secure OBC offers hand-carried air delivery with a security-cleared courier and chain of custody.
• Humanitarian relief: Depth Logistics is a registered logistics vendor to the United Nations Global Marketplace.

The Boeing 747-400ERF

While we access many types of cargo aircraft, we mainly charter the Boeing 747-400ERF:

• Payload: up to 112,760 kg / 755 m³ of cargo
• Range: 9,200 km at this payload, which is 972 km further than other 747 Freighter variants
• Cost: one of the lowest cost per tonne per mile cargo aircraft operating
• Strength: a strengthened fuselage, landing gear and parts of the wing, with larger tyres
• Passengers: the option of up to six seats for clients who want to accompany their cargo

These features make the 747-400ERF well suited to defence and military operations. See the full Boeing 747-400ERF freighter specifications.

Door to door, including customs clearance

We go beyond the air freight task and can deliver cargo door to door worldwide, including customs clearance. Our own road transport fleet can collect and deliver charter cargo anywhere in Australia. In Australia, our road fleet carries the cargo to and from the aircraft. Classified, security-sensitive and controlled goods can move as a secure hotshot, with security-cleared drivers (MSIC, ASIC and Australian Department of Defence clearances) and chain-of-custody delivery to the airport, in line with Defence security requirements.

Air charter support from Coolangatta, Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville

• Coolangatta (head office): we can arrange charters to and from anywhere in Australia from any of our offices, including our head office at 2/17 Griffith St, Coolangatta QLD 4225.
• Brisbane: our Brisbane Depth Defence Logistics Centre (8 Culya St, Pinkenba QLD 4008) is in the Brisbane Airport precinct and offers air cargo handling, cargo weighing scales, palletisation and shrink wrapping.
• Darwin: our Darwin 2DLC (31 Muramats Rd, East Arm NT 0822) is close to RAAF Base Darwin and Robertson Barracks. A helipad for aircraft up to the CH-47 Chinook is being developed.
• Townsville: our Townsville depot (16 Mackley St, Garbutt QLD 4814) is in the RAAF Base Townsville precinct.

Read more about our Depth Defence Logistics Centres.

Frequently asked questions