Minister congratulates innovative local defence companies at forum in Fisher

The Turnbull Government’s $200 billion commitment to Defence is continuing to be a big boost for local companies.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today joined Parliamentary colleague, Member for Fisher, Mr Andrew Wallace MP at a defence industry forum at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where more than 150 local businesses learned about defence industry engagement with small and medium sized enterprises.

During the forum at Sippy Downs, Minister Pyne congratulated South East Queensland company Helimods on being awarded a $154,000 contract to manufacture fourteen aircraft cabin wet decks for Navy's MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopters.

Minister Pyne said the family-owned company employs 25 full-time workers and specialises in modifying new and modern helicopters.

“The wet deck is required to reduce the aircraft cabin floor’s exposure to salt water and surface wear caused by search and rescue operations and equipment,” Minister Pyne said.

“Helimods has also developed and installed equipment in Emergency Service helicopters around Australia and has exported its products to North America and South East Asia,” Minister Pyne said.

Minister Pyne said innovative Australian industry is a core element of defence capability.

“We are investing now to nurture Australia’s defence industry as part of our long-term strategy,” Minister Pyne said.

Mr Wallace highlighted the innovative developments of the local defence industry in the Fisher Electorate.

“Praesidium Global from Caloundra is designing and manufacturing unmanned ground vehicles to get wounded soldiers to safety,” Mr Wallace said.

“The company was one of a selected few to present innovative solutions at the Army Innovation Day in Canberra last year.”

“It’s fantastic Praesidium Global has now entered into a contract worth over $1.3 million with Defence to supply unmanned ground vehicles for Army user evaluation.”

Minister Pyne said this exemplifies how the 2016 Defence White Paper, the Integrated Investment Program and the Defence Industry Policy Statement is being applied to support Australian industry whilst providing innovative solutions to the military.