South Australia’s world-class maritime industry will be on show when a delegation of French companies from the maritime and defence sector visits South Australia today.
The visitors, from 16 innovative French companies and the French Maritime and Defence Clusters Pole Mer and GICAN, are in town to develop new business opportunities and reinforce ties between the Australian and French industries.
The delegates will visit ASC’s submarine yard and the Defence Teaming Centre will host a meeting with key South Australian maritime industry representatives.
Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith will also hold an informal meeting with the group.
“This visit is another opportunity for us to demonstrate our capabilities to deliver world-class submarines and warships.
“The Future Submarines program is obviously a key focus for South Australia with companies from France and Germany, along with the Japanese Government having submitted bids for the submarine design.
“We are ready to partner with whoever is successful in their bid and we strongly believe that all of the submarines should be built in South Australia as part of a continuous build program.
“Adelaide has an established maritime infrastructure and highly skilled workforce ready and capable of building not only the submarines but surface ships as well.”
Minister Hamilton-Smith said today’s visit was further evidence of South Australia’s growing reputation as an innovation hub.
“Just last month we hosted a delegation of Japanese business institutions that was in town to consider South Australia as a future investment location.
“We look forward to establishing opportunities to partner with these French companies on innovative new projects that will create jobs for South Australians across a variety of different sectors.”