Over 450 Australian companies, R&D and educational institutions were in Adelaide last Thursday to hear from representatives of the future submarine enterprise in regards to opportunities available in the Future Submarine Program.
The event, the first of more to be held in the new year, was a joint briefing between the Commonwealth, DCNS and Lockheed Martin (as the combat systems integrator). The 'Submarine Industry Day' included a briefing and forum about promoting performance through innovation.
CEO DCNS Australia Sean Costello said the company was determined to maximise local industry participation.
“In order to achieve this, we will build a supply chain in Australia that has the in-country capability to deliver the products, services and know-how to keep the submarines capable and available on an enduring basis.”
DCNS has already issued 600 requests for information from 145 companies in Australia and 25 Australian companies have passed the first audit to be considered appropriate to participate in the supply chain activities.
Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said DCNS and Lockheed Martin Australia provided information on Australian industry involvement in the Future Submarine Program and how to become qualified as part of the submarine supply chain.
“DCNS will bring new submarine technologies and construction techniques that will require further skills development across the submarine domain.
“Lockheed Martin Australia will integrate the Future Submarine combat system in a dedicated facility in Adelaide. This will see investment in engineering, project management and other high-technology industries in Australia,” Minister Pyne said.
The Future Submarine briefings will continue across the nation in 2017, with the next briefing to be held in Sydney in February (details to be posted on our Events page shortly).