The leading Australian defence and aerospace companies are set to showcase their advanced manufacturing capabilities during the Victorian Coalition Government’s trade mission to the US from 17–23 May 2014.
According to the media release by the Premier of Victoria, Minister for Manufacturing David Hodgett will be leading the trade mission.
“This trade mission will show US and European defence companies that the Coalition Government is very keen to work with them to expand their operations in Victoria, invest in our economy and create jobs through major upcoming military vehicle and naval projects,” Mr Hodgett said.
Aimed at helping Victorian companies to identify and develop supply chain opportunities that will strengthen their ability to win work on major Australian and international defence and aerospace projects, the trade mission is of the utmost importance for Victoria’s defence industry, valued at 1.5 billion annually.
“Upcoming projects include the Australian Defence Force’s LAND 400 Land Combat Vehicle System, worth up to $15 billion, and SEA1000 Future Submarine program, valued at up to $40 billion, along with other significant projects in the defence capability acquisition pipeline,” said Mr Hodgett.
Mr Hodgett further revealed that he will meet with senior decision makers from numerous European-based defence companies in Germany and France that have potential interest in the LAND 400 project.
“Victoria has more than 300 businesses with expertise and facilities supplying products and services to domestic and international defence and aerospace markets. They have secured over 50% of local contracts awarded through the Australian Government’s Defence Materiel Organisation’s Global Supply Chain and 70% awarded for the Joint Strike Fighter program,” the Minister said.
“This mission will build on the success of the 2013 defence and aerospace trade mission to the United States which to date has generated $17.5 million in expected export outcomes for Victorian companies. Both last year and this year’s missions are part of the Coalition Government’s unprecedented trade mission program, which, since December 2010, has supported more than 2,800 local businesses and organisations in 70 trade missions, driving over $4 billion in new export opportunities.”
