Australian defence companies win global contracts

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today congratulated two Australian companies for winning work on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship being built by BAE Systems in the United Kingdom.

These contracts were won under the Defence Global Supply Chain (GSC) program which is managed by the Centre for Defence Industry Capability.

Minister Pyne said the program would provide export opportunities for Australian small-to-medium sized companies in the supply chains of prime defence contractors.

“I am delighted Tasmanian-based Liferaft Systems Australia will provide the ship’s Marine Evacuation System, while Victorian-based Mackay Consolidated Industries will supply pipe hanger inserts,” Minister Pyne said.

“These two contracts demonstrate Australian defence industry’s world-class capabilities and will support around 220 Australian jobs.”

Minister Pyne said he expected further Australian companies would benefit from the United Kingdom’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship program in the future.

“Australian companies that demonstrate their ingenuity are valued by global prime companies in the United Kingdom and in other markets around the world,” Minister Pyne said.

“This highlights the global competitiveness of our Australian defence industry.

“Promoting Australia’s world class capabilities to our foreign defence partners and the international prime companies is a core element in the defence export strategy, which will be released later this year.”

Minister Pyne also met with Mr Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, to discuss further export opportunities for Australian companies within BAE Systems’ global supply chains.

Since 2007, the participating GSC primes have awarded close to $1 billion of work to predominantly small-to-medium sized enterprises in Australia.

“BAE Systems Australia has one of the nation’s largest defence supply chains and a long and successful history of working closely with Australian suppliers, to open up both local and international opportunities,” Minister Pyne said.

Further information on the Global Supply Chain program contact the CDIC on 13 28 46 or atCDIC_Exports@industry.gov.au.