Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds and Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price have announced the signing of a $680 million acquisition contract between Defence and Raytheon Australia as part of the government’s investment for the supply of a new short range ground based air defence capability, the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS).
“Raytheon Australia will act as the prime systems integrator for the new air defence capability, which combines world-leading Australian radar technology with a highly effective air defence system,” Minister Reynolds said.
“This capability will contribute to the protection of our servicemen and women from modern airborne threats and be based on the proven Raytheon/Kongsberg NASAMS which is used by numerous countries, including the US.”
The system provides ground-based air defence against fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems using the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile).
Advanced radars designed and manufactured by Canberra-based Company CEA Technologies will be integrated with Australian designed and built vehicles.
Minister Price said the signing of this contract marked an important milestone for the project.
“I’m delighted that Australia’s most innovative technologies will be used as an integral part of one of the world’s best short range ground based air defence systems under Land 19 Phase 7B,” Minister Price said.
“Australian industry will continue to play a vital role in the $1.5 billion acquisition, which will replace the Army’s existing RBS-70 system.”
Separately, Raytheon officially awarded Kongsberg a contract worth $270 million for the provision of components to the system.
Raytheon Australia’s newly-established Centre for Joint Integration in Adelaide will be used for the design, manufacture and assembly of some key elements of the NASAMS system, contributing to the creation of at least 100 Australian jobs across the life of the capability.