Two contracts have been awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia and Computer Sciences Corporation Australia as part of Joint Project (JP)2030 Phase 8, Joint Command Support Environment.

JP2030 Phase 8 takes forward the cohesive and integrated Joint Command Support Environment (JCSE) at HQJOC, which coordinates major Defence operations on land, air and sea.

Minister for Defence Materiel Senator Kim Carr said acquiring this cutting-edge technology would significantly improve the ADF’s ability to plan and conduct joint operations.

“This new technology will make planning operations more efficient and effective and increase the speed of decision making,” Senator Carr said.

“I am pleased that these companies were judged best to further develop the command and control system. This demonstrates the capability of the Australian Defence industry,” Senator Carr said

“I am committed to working with industry to build and sustain these capabilities, which are so important for our national security.”

Computer Sciences Corporation Australia Pty Ltd has secured the JCSE System Integrator contract and Lockheed Martin Australia was awarded the JCSE Development Organisation contract.

Media Contact:

Senator Carr’s Office (02) 6277 7620

Departmental (02) 6127 1999

“In June of last year my predecessor Minister Jason Clare announced the Government’s intention to reform the naval ship repair sector – commencing with the release of the tender for the repair and maintenance of the Navy’s eight Anzac Class frigates,” Senator Carr said.

“I am pleased to announce the outcome of the Tender evaluation. I congratulate Naval Ship Management Australia, a joint venture of Babcock Australia and United Group Infrastructure, for being selected as the preferred tenderer.”

Senator Carr said the announcement follows extensive consultation with industry on a new approach to contracts for repair and maintenance work.

“In contrast to the previous arrangements which required every new maintenance activity to be individually contracted out, the grouping of ship repair and maintenance tasks offers the potential for significant cost savings. 

“These savings are achieved through reductions in contracting activity, greater ability to forecast work effort, and productivity gains through greater investment in workforce skills and infrastructure.

“This initiative will provide industry with the predictability, certainty and stability that it needs to achieve efficiencies and provide job security for, and investment in, its workforce.

 “This new contracting approach is good for industry, it is good for job security and development, it is good for Navy, and it is good for Australian taxpayers who rightly demand maximum efficiency from every dollar spent on Australia’s defence.”

Contract negotiations are expected to be finalised by June 2012.

Media contacts:   

Minister’s Office 02 6277 7620

Department 02 6127 1999

The ‘Awards for Excellence’ recognise outstanding teamwork and project management. Recipients are Defence industry partners and Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) project teams.

Minister for Defence Materiel Senator Kim Carr congratulated the winning teams.

“These companies have demonstrated high levels of capability, cooperation and excellence in project management,” Senator Carr said.

“The collaboration between government and industry on these projects is world-class. It needs to be, because ultimately these teams are working to keep the ADF safe and well-equipped and to develop new industry capabilities.”

The Essington Lewis Trophy for the ‘Major Company/DMO Project Team of the Year’ went to the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) project office in conjunction with BAE Systems, Saab Systems and CEA Technologies. The team also won the ‘Major Project’ category award

Senator Carr said the team worked effectively to achieve operational release of the system on HMAS Perth and remove the ASMD from the Projects of Concern list.

“The success of this project is a testament to the teamwork and dedication of DMO and its industry counterparts,” Senator Carr said.

The Essington Lewis Trophy for small to medium enterprises was awarded to Canberra-based company Daronmont Technologies and the Ground Telecommunications Equipment Systems Program Office for their work on remote communications technology.

Australian electronics company Micreo and DMO’s Land Self Protection Systems Program Office were recognised for working to protect troops from improvised explosive devices, while Cirrus Real Time Processing and DMO’s Training Aircraft Systems Program Office won an award for developing innovative navigation systems.

Young engineer Dugald Harland of CEA Technologies won the Young Achiever Award for his part in developing a three-dimensional radar.

DMO’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Warren King, congratulated all award winners and finalists saying it reflected the ongoing good will and collaboration between Defence and industry to equip and sustain the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The Essington Lewis Trophies are named in honour of Essington Lewis, a prominent industrialist who was heavily involved in Australia’s preparations for World War II.

More information on the winners is available from http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/

 A copy of the Minister’s speech is available at:  http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/02/21/minister-for-defence-materiel-presentation-of-the-2012-essington-lewis-trophies/

Media contacts: Minister’s Office 02 6277 7620
Department 02 6127 1999

Releasing the health checks today, Minister for Defence Materiel Senator Kim Carr said government, defence and industry needed to work together to sustain important defence capabilities in Australia.

“The Priority Industry Capability health checks are an excellent tool to monitor our progress — and if necessary – prompt us to consider further action. This can include targeting investment in skills development through existing industry programs,” Senator Carr said.

The most recent health checks focus on signature management and in‑country support for essential military software.

The Signature Management PIC assesses Australia‘s ability to develop and maintain technologies that reduce the ‘signature’ of Australian Defence Force platforms, so they are less likely to be detected by sensors like sonar, radar and infra-red.

The Through Life Support of Mission and Safety Critical Software PIC measures our ability to adapt and maintain software that is integral to communications and activities including situational awareness, enemy detection and deployment of weapons.

For more information on all PIC health checks please visit http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/id/pic

Media contacts:         

Minister’s Office 02 6277 7620

Department 02 6127 1999

These specially made ‘G-wagons’ will be used as tactical training vehicles, for a range of operations as well as activities like supporting disaster relief and securing Australia’s coastline.

The G-wagons, along with Australian-made trailers and modules, will be rolled out to Defence units as part of Project Overlander, a $7.5 billion program providing more than 7500 new protected and unprotected vehicles to the ADF over the next decade.

Today the Minister for Defence Materiel, Senator Kim Carr, announced the completion of contract negotiations under Land 121 Phase 3A, the next step in Project Overlander.

“The Australian Government has completed negotiations to acquire 2146 G-Wagon four wheel drives and 1799 matching trailers,” Senator Carr said.

“This will provide the Australian Army with enhanced training capability to prepare for operations in protected vehicles, ensuring that Australian soldiers are better prepared and equipped.”

The G-Wagon vehicles are being manufactured for Daimler AG, and then supplied to Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd in Mulgrave, Victoria, to fit Australian-made modules and tray bodies.

“The modules and tray bodies for these vehicles, as well as the trailers, will be designed and manufactured by Australian companies – Varley and Haulmark – in contracts worth approximately $196 million,” Senator Carr said.

Approximately 540 modules and 810 tray bodies are being designed and manufactured by G. H. Varley Pty Ltd in Newcastle, New South Wales, in a contract worth approximately $100 million.

There are 1799 trailers being designed and manufactured by Queensland-based Haulmark Trailers (Australia) Pty Ltd, to the approximate value of $96 million, including initial support.

“I am pleased that the most competitive companies for these very important, high-skilled contracts were located in Australia. These companies are among the world’s best, with advanced capabilities in manufacturing. That is why they are helping ensure that the ADF has the best kit,” Senator Carr said.

The main roll-out of the new vehicles and trailers to Defence units is scheduled to commence in July this year.

More information on Project Overlander can be found at: http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/lsd/land121 

Media contacts:

Minister’s Office – 02 6277 7620

Defence Media Operations – 02 6127 1999

Australian companies will also have a better chance of participating in defence industry supply chains, with Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems signing on to the next stage of the Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program.

Minister for Defence Materiel Senator Kim Carr said the health checks will help ensure the Australian Defence Force’s self-reliance and operational capability.

“Health Checks ensure that these important industries will continue to operate in Australia. They examine Australia’s ability to undertake important industry activities such as developing a standard combat uniform, and designing and installing acoustic technologies. This includes our ability to develop new technologies in these areas,” Senator Carr said.

"The Health checks have found that both of these priority industry capabilities are currently healthy and are expected to remain so, although ongoing monitoring will be needed as Defence refines its domestic supply and support requirements beyond the middle of the decade."

Across Australia, new opportunities to participate in global defence supply chains will open up after Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems signed new annexes to Global Supply Chain Program Deeds today. 

Senator Carr said that by entering the next stage of the GSC Program both companies were demonstrating their commitment to Australian industry. 

“The Global Supply Chain Program actively assists Australian defence industries to enter into the supply chains of multinational businesses. The Program has been very successful to date, with Australian industry – primarily small and medium enterprises – winning over $400 million in contracts,” Senator Carr said. 

Also announced today was a trial program aimed at lifting the fuel efficiency of the Royal Australian Air Force C-130 transport fleet involving Rolls Royce.

For more information on the Combat Clothing and Acoustic Technologies and Systems PIC Health Checks please visit http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/id/pic/

For more information on the Global Supply Chain program please visit http://www.dplusi.defence.gov.au

For more information on the fuel management trial please visit http://www.airforce.gov.au

Media contacts:

Minister’s Office 02 6277 7620

Department 02 6127 1999

As part of this, the Government is planning a substantial increase in Defence equipment acquisitions across all services, with the most recent Defence Capability Plan including projects or phases of projects valued at approximately $150 billion in current prices.  This acquisition plan includes the Future Submarine Project – expected to beAustralia’s largest ever single defence project.

A skilled workforce will be key to success and the Defence Industry Workforce Strategy plans to better position Australian industry to participate in Defence procurement.

Last September, the Australian Government asked Skills Australia to work with the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) to prepare a comprehensive workforce strategy for the Australian defence materiel supply industries.

The Minister for Defence Materiel, Senator Kim Carr, today made public at the Pacific 2012 Exposition in Sydney the group’s first discussion Paper.

 “On average, about 50 to 55 per cent of defence acquisition work (by value) has historically been won by highly competitive Australian-based firms including many small to medium enterprises.  If Australian industry is to continue to be competitive, access to an appropriately skilled workforce will be crucial.

“A steady supply of steelworkers, welders, electricians and mechanics is needed, among many other trades.  And we also need engineers, systems analysts, accountants and specialists in air and marine transport. 

“Defence suppliers can expect to face significant competition for skilled labour from the resources sector and large-scale infrastructure projects including the National Broadband Network.

“This competition for skills could create challenges for the Australian defence industry.  The Paper provides a preliminary, but much needed, assessment of the skills outlook for the Australian defence materiel supply industries.”

It is designed to provoke debate and invite ideas and input from the defence community.  To assist this discussion, public submissions on the Strategy are invited by 5 April, 2012.  The insights gained from these submissions and consultations will form a key input to the final report, which is due in June 2012. 

Senator Carr said he strongly encouraged all to get involved and have a say in the process.

A background paper to this Discussion Paper and information on the public submission process can be found on the Skills Australia web site at www.skillsaustralia.gov.au.

Media contacts:

Minister’s Office 02 6277 7620

Department 02 6127 1999