The Western Australian government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with UK defence giant Babcock Australasia to create more local jobs and help boost the state’s maritime defence industry.
The partnership is expected to help the state government create high-paying, skilled jobs for decades at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, as well as in HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.
The MOU also aims to deliver target industry expansion as well as training and workforce development.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said the partnership with Babcock unlocks more certainty and opportunity for Western Australians who are seeking to explore a diverse career in the state’s defence industry.
“Babcock is a top-tier submarine defence company with a global reputation and expertise across the nuclear submarine lifecycle,” McGurk added. “This deal will help our Government create highly paid, professionally trained jobs to assist with the AUKUS partnership.”
Babcock employs over 26,000 people globally, with 1,700 employees in Australia and New Zealand, including 250 in Western Australia.
The company sustains the UK’s entire submarine fleet and supports the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent.
Babcock currently delivers support and maintenance services for Australia’s Collins-class submarine fleet at Henderson and at Osborne in South Australia. It also provides continued sustainment of the Australian Anzac Class Frigates under the Warship Asset Management Agreement.
The company recently began serving as the Regional Maintenance Provider West, managing the sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy ships at Henderson.
Babcock’s work in Western Australia is delivered through the support of 500 small and medium enterprises. The latest MOU between the state and Babcock is expected to provide opportunities for even more WA-based SMEs to become part of the company’s international supply chain.
“The WA Government continues to show its support and investment in the defence industry with this latest Memorandum of Understanding,” said Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia.
“Babcock is a major player on the world stage when it comes to maintaining nuclear submarines. I am confident this MoU will help place Western Australia at the forefront of the latest developments in the maritime defence industry.”
