The state’s defence and naval shipbuilding capabilities will be showcased to key industry leaders and investors in Malaysia and Singapore during the South Australian South East Asia trade mission.
Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith, joined by Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK AFC, will seek to strengthen relationships with industry partners during the mission, which follows the hugely successful 2017 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) held in March.
Minister Hamilton-Smith, who will lead a defence delegation as part of the mission, said it will provide an opportunity to promote the state’s defence capabilities and expertise, while building relationships and developing new supply chain opportunities in the advanced manufacturing defence industry.
Background
The defence delegation will meet with key government officials and industry leaders in Singapore and Malaysia as part of the six day mission aimed at boosting trade and investment in a number of areas, including defence.
The delegation will meet with local and regional defence government officials, defence force leaders and key companies, including Naval Group (formerly DCNS). The mission will also see the first-ever South Australian tour of the Sepanggar Naval Base, located in Kota Kinabalu and home to one of the world’s leading Scorpene submarine training centres.
Naval Group, the French company set to build Australia’s future submarines at Techport Australia in Adelaide, provided two French-built Scorpene submarines to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in 2009, and was recently awarded the contract to supply the RMN’s Second Generation Patrol Vessel.
Minister Hamilton-Smith will update Malaysian and Singaporean authorities on South Australia’s maritime/naval shipbuilding programs, along with the state’s latest defence projects and testing/training opportunities in unmanned systems.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industries Martin Hamilton-Smith
South Australia is the leading defence state in Australia, and we are committed to partnering with Singapore and Malaysia to explore opportunities in the defence industry. We recognise the importance of supporting our defence industry to successfully join the global supply chain in order to realise the full economic benefits of defence programs.
Australia now has world-class sustainability practice for Collins class submarines, following the Coles Review and South Australian industry is experienced in submarine sustainment. This is an ideal opportunity to market our industry knowledge, skills and capability in support of submarine maintenance.
We are also keen to gain knowledge from our South East Asian neighbours to prepare for the Future Submarine project, to be built at Techport Australia in Adelaide, and determine if there are any other projects and opportunities for cooperation as Australia strives for a continuous ship building program.