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TODAY, eight lucky Australians were announced as the winners of Defence’s national competition to experience life as a submariner, offering a great first step toward a career within the Royal Australian Navy and the extraordinary submarine service. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said Defence received close to 200 entries for the competition and congratulated the winners. 

Today the Turnbull Government and Naval Group Australia confirmed that 126 local businesses to date have been pre-qualified as eligible to take part in the supply chain for the $50 billion Future Submarine Program. Over the last twelve months, these businesses have been thoroughly assessed and deemed as capable of delivering the quality products, parts or services needed to deliver this vital project.

Canberra-based company CEA Technologies is building four new Air Defence radars as part of the Australian Government’s $2.7 billion investment in Defence’s new Joint Air Battle Management System. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, welcomed the significant capability boost that the Australian designed and built radars will provide.

Australian companies are showing a high level of enthusiasm to be part of the Future Submarine Program. The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said more than one thousand local businesses have formally registered their interest. Naval Group, as our partner for the Future Submarines, and Lockheed Martin Australia as the combat system integrator, have held eight submarine industry days as part of ongoing engagement with local companies.

In another positive sign for local industry, Aussie companies are being invited to supply equipment for the Future Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne in South Australia. The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said it’s very important Naval Group Australia continues to engage with Australian industry in the development of Australia’s shipbuilding enterprise.

The Australian defence industry marked the first-ever deep-level maintenance completion of a United States Navy MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ helicopter in Nowra, NSW today. In October 2022, the helicopter arrived in Australia and will soon return to the United States after successful maintenance and repairs by defence industry partner Sikorsky Australia.

MARISE PAYNE: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for joining me here this afternoon. I’m very pleased to be in Darwin this week to meet up with local colleagues, of course, but also to make a very significant announcement in relation to Defence’s engagement with local business.

The multi-billion dollar Offshore Patrol Vessel project has reached a significant milestone with the release of the Request for Tender to the three shortlisted designers. The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the Request for Tender will see Damen, Fassmer and Luerssen team up with Australian shipbuilders. “We want to ensure the tenderers’ responses maximise Australian industry opportunities through a local build using Australian made steel,” said Minister Pyne.

The multi-billion dollar Offshore Patrol Vessel project has reached a significant milestone with the release of the Request for Tender to the three shortlisted designers. The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the Request for Tender will see Damen, Fassmer and Luerssen team up with Australian shipbuilders. “We want to ensure the tenderers’ responses maximise Australian industry opportunities through a local build using Australian made steel,” said Minister Pyne.

Italian helicopter manufacturer Leonardo has now selected Fisherman’s Bend in inner Melbourne as the site for a helicopter repair and overhaul facility. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the facility will be capable of servicing Australia’s Multi-Role Helicopter, Taipan, as well as foreign military and certain civil helicopter main gear boxes.

The Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Christopher Pyne MP today announced the final Nulka missile decoy to be produced under contract with BAE Systems Australia has been delivered. This milestone represents a significant achievement in what has been a highly successful program that has generated defence exports as well. Mr Pyne said Nulka is a joint Australian/United States development program which began from an original concept developed in Australia by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation in the early 1970s.

Joint media release: Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP  The Morrison Government is backing Australian industry and supporting Australian jobs through the global F-35A Program with the signing of a sovereign Training Support Services contract with Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA).Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC welcomed the win for Australian defence industry, in what is another example of a unique Australian sustainment contract.

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today welcomed Lockheed Martin investing AUD $13million over the next three years in a new research and development centre in Australia to complement its centres based in the United States. The Science Technology Engineering Leadership and Research Laboratory (STELaR Lab) will be the first multi-disciplinary facility to be established by Lockheed Martin outside of the United States.

The Morrison Government has announced a $9 million boost to Australia’s defence industry to develop an integrated system that can detect and neutralise improvised threats. The contract, awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia’s Science, Technology, Engineering Leadership and Research Laboratory (STELaRLaB), was given as part of Defence’s Counter Improvised Grand Threat Challenge (CIT-GC) initiative.

Joint media release Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP Australia will invest in new long-range strike capabilities to maintain regional security and deter or respond to aggression in the Indo-Pacific, as part of the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan. The new investments will be made across the air, maritime and land assets to give the Australian Defence Force more options to protect Australia’s interests.

Thank you very much for that introduction. It is a great pleasure to address the Lowy Institute this morning. With a distinguished board, it does us all a great service by stimulating debate and discussion on policy and Australia’s place in the world. This contribution is particularly valuable on foreign and defence policy. It leads me to think of the 19th century philosopher and student of Napoleon, Carl von Clausewitz, who had much to say in his enduring analysis on war, about the relationship between war and politics.

Joint media release: Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women, Acting Minister for Defence  The Morrison Government will invest a further $115 million in the Boeing Loyal Wingman program to continue developing the Australian-designed and built aircraft. This will see Australia acquire three additional aircraft to help develop teaming tactics with our crewed platforms.

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today toured the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra Space Centre and viewed their state-of-the-art CubeSat which is going through the final testing phase before its planned launch in September this year. “This Canberra developed spacecraft will provide new ways to enhance Australia’s future Defence space capability by gathering remote sensing information with radios and cameras,” Minister Pyne said.

The Albanese Government continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, with the transfer of the first tranche of Australian-gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In response to a request from the Government of Ukraine, Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to help bolster its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion. Ukraine has now taken possession of the majority of these tanks, with delivery of the final tranche to occur in the coming months.

Joint media release:  Liberal Patron Senator for the Hunter Region, Senator Hollie Hughes The Morrison Government has awarded a leading engineering company a $164.9 million contract to deliver major airfield works at RAAF Base Williamtown and Newcastle Airport. The contract with Downer EDI Works Pty Limited will support Australia’s air power capabilities and deliver a major boost to the Hunter region and the wider NSW economy.

The Morrison Government has bolstered its commitment to growing the skills of Australia’s defence industry by significantly increasing funding to its Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) grants program.Companies will be able to apply for skills grants from a funding pool that has been expanded from $4 million per year to $17 million per year, to the end of 2021-22. This will support a skilled workforce in the defence industry sector as part of the federal Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Morrison Government’s Naval Shipbuilding College has joined forces with the South Australian Government to help jobseekers capitalise on thousands of shipbuilding job opportunities in the State. South Australian Premier Steven Marshall today endorsed the Naval Shipbuilding College and the value the Federal Government initiative is adding for states and territories focused on growing their shipbuilding and sustainment workforce.

Joint media release The Hon Michelle Landry MP, Member for Capricornia Critical upgrades to one of Australia’s most significant military training areas will get underway within months, delivering hundreds of jobs and $70 million worth of opportunities for local businesses.

After two years as the Force Commander United Nations Force in Cyprus, Major General Cheryl Pearce recently completed her tenure on 4 January 2021. Since January 2019, Major General Pearce has commanded over 800 peacekeepers representing 15 nations, marking the first time the UN Force in Cyprus has been led by an all-female leadership team, with other key roles held by Canadian and Chinese personnel. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC congratulated Major General Pearce for her contribution to global peacekeeping efforts.

The Department of Defence has signed three major contracts to deliver information Computer Technology (ICT) Support Services to commence transitioning in February 2019.  The Support Services include ICT Service Desk operations, integration and coordination of multiple suppliers to bring increased alignment and optimisation of ICT operation, and deskside support for approximately 100,000 users across more than 450 locations around Australia.

The newly redeveloped Cook Barracks in Port Vila has officially opened, reflecting the strong partnership between the governments of Australia and Vanuatu.  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, joined Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas to open the upgraded barracks during his visit to Vanuatu. 

The Australian Government has announced a major boost to Defence’s strategic high-frequency communications capability to support regional and global operations. Defence and Babcock Pty Ltd today signed the contract to equip the Australian Defence Force with an enhanced high-frequency communications system.  

Joint media release Prime Minister, The Hon Scott Morrison MP  The Morrison Government will invest $747 million to upgrade four key training areas and ranges in the Northern Territory to enable the Australian Defence Force to conduct simulated training exercises and remain battle ready. Essential upgrades will be made to four key military training areas and weapon ranges in the Northern Territory, including: Robertson Barracks, Kangaroo Flats, Mount Bundey and Bradshaw.

The Morrison Government has announced the Australian Defence Force Cadet Program will grow by up to 10 per cent over the next 12 months. On a visit to Irwin Barracks today, the Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP, said the highly valued ADF Cadet Program is a key component of Defence community engagement and youth development in Western Australia, providing significant community reach and regional presence.

In a significant milestone, the Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP has announced the first Defence Innovation Hub investments since the launch of the program in December 2016. Minister Pyne said these investments show the Turnbull Government’s commitment to spending our Defence dollar locally to grow the Australian defence industry while developing new capabilities. “The Defence Innovation Hub is crucial in delivering the Government’s $1.6 billion commitment to develop local Defence capability,” Minister Pyne said.