South Australia’s manufacturing and defence industry has attracted another international visitor with Parliamentary State Secretary Dr Ralf Brauksiepe from the German Federal Ministry of Defence in town today.
Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith said while Dr Brauksiepe was in the country to prepare for a meeting between the Australian and German Defence and Foreign Ministers he was also very interested to hear about South Australia’s defence capabilities.
“South Australia is the Defence State and I’m extremely pleased that Dr Brauksiepe has chosen to visit,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
“This is another opportunity for us to showcase our world-class defence industry capabilities and highlight potential partnership opportunities to an international visitor.”
German companies are in the running for two key Defence projects which South Australia is actively pursuing in the $50 billion Future Submarine program and phase 2 of the multi-billion dollar LAND 400 armoured fighting vehicle program.
Germany’s TKMS is one of three bidders for the Future Submarine build program, along with France’s DCNS and the Japanese Government; while Rheinmetall, which has an Adelaide based subsidiary in Rheinmetall Simulation Australia, has put in a bid for LAND 400.
“We are ready to partner with whoever is successful in their bid for the Future Submarine and LAND 400 programs and have established excellent relationships with all bidders,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
“Our priority in regards to the Future Submarines is to ensure a 100 per cent Australian build, here at Techport Australia.”
“We have a proven track record in shipbuilding, having been at the centre of two of the biggest projects in recent history in the Collins class submarines and Air Warfare Destroyer program.”
Dr Brauksiepe will also receive a briefing from Defence SA, the Defence Teaming Centre and Investment Attraction South Australia, and will tour the Common User Facility at Techport Australia.
“South Australia is in the best position to build all 12 of the Future Submarines, creating jobs for thousands of workers for decades to come,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
“Our reputation as an innovation hub is growing, with many international delegates choosing to visit South Australia to see what we have to offer as a future investment location.”