Defence Exports - Briefing new Attaches

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today briefed over 35 Defence personnel selected for representational roles in Australian diplomatic missions overseas on his expectations for their roles.

As part of the Defence Overseas Representation Seminar, a three week training course, Minister Pyne spoke to highlight their vital role in promoting the export of our Defence materiel.

From the largest defence company to a small company making a great bit of kit, our attachés and their teams can make a big difference – providing introductions to governments and militaries, updates on future procurement plans, and hints and tips on how to negotiate the bureaucracies of our friends and allies.

Greater success in Defence exports helps defend Australia. Exporting companies are higher performing, more innovative and more able to support Australia’s own defence capability needs.

“Attachés are my eyes and ears overseas. If there’s an opportunity there for Australian industry, they’ll need to promote it. If I need to get on a plane and speak to the overseas Government about how good our products are – I’ll do it”, Minister Pyne said.

Minister Pyne said the Defence Export Strategy to be released later this year would set out a comprehensive approach to enable the Government to actively plan, guide and measure defence export outcomes.

“The strategy will establish a new system to provide assistance to Australian industry and support Australia’s broader defence, strategic, foreign and economic interests,” Minister Pyne said.

Defence exports are a fundamental part of our vision for Australian defence industry and Defence personnel working in our diplomatic missions are an integral part of achieving this vision.

Defence industry exports will promote international engagement, capability building and greater interoperability with allies and strategic partners.