Spanish Defence Minister Meeting

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today met with Spain’s Minister for Defence, the Hon María Dolores de Cospedal, in Sydney.

During the meeting both Ministers expressed their appreciation for the depth of cooperation and support between both countries’ defence industries, spanning across naval shipbuilding and aviation.

Minister Pyne provided Minister de Cospedal with an outline of Australia’s new $90 billion naval shipbuilding program, one of the largest government projects in the country’s history.

“Spain is a valued partner for Australia and our increasing defence and materiel cooperation is a sign of the strength of our bilateral relationship,” he said.

“As Australia embarks on a substantial renewal of our defence capabilities, including one of the most ambitious shipbuilding programs in the world, we seek to do so with global partners like Spain.

“Spain’s proven shipbuilding ability, and the capability of ships such as the Cristobal Colon, demonstrate why Navantia is one of three international designers shortlisted for Australia’s Future Frigate program.”

Minister de Cospedal will also visit the Spanish Armada frigate Cristobal Colon in Sydney for familiarisation training for Royal Australian Navy personnel ahead of commissioning the first of Navy’s new Air Warfare Destroyers, HMAS Hobart, later this year.