Nine South Australian defence companies will showcase their capabilities and connect with new partners in the UK at one of the world’s largest defence and security events starting in London today.
Heading up the State Government’s first-ever Europe/UK business mission, Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith will visit the firms taking part in the Defence and Security Equipment International (DCEI) exhibition (12-15 September).
The exhibition is a chance for SA defence suppliers to secure supply chain opportunities in the event the UK’s BAE Systems wins its bids for both the Future Frigate and LAND 400 programs.
While in London the Minister will also meet with UK government officials, defence leaders and defence firms including BAE Systems, to identify opportunities for SA businesses to benefit from global supply chain work if the company is awarded the maritime and land projects.
Background
SA defence companies at DCEI range from defence primes to SMEs and include Codan Defence Electronics, Dexata Corporation, ELWA Energy, Minelab Electronics, Norseld, Nova Systems, Redarc Electronics, Risk Decisions Asia Pacific and Saab Australia.
Three designers – BAE Systems, Fincantieri and Navantia – have been shortlisted to refine their designs for the frigates, to be built at Adelaide’s Techport in 2020 as part of a continuous build. Meanwhile BAE is one of two companies in the running for the LAND 400 combat reconnaissance vehicle program, along with Rheinmetall.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith
South Australia is home to a world-class defence and naval shipbuilding industry, and we are keen to partner with UK industry on major maritime and defence projects to create supply chain opportunities and local jobs.
We strongly advocate for maximum Australian industry content on defence projects. We support our defence industry to successfully join the global supply chain to realise the full economic benefits of defence programs and create sovereign capability for our nation. South Australian industry has a proven track record when it comes to complex defence programs and our local companies are ready to support the delivery of Australia’s next generation programs including Future Frigate, Future Submarine and LAND 400.