ADROITA (Australia) and BecTech (USA), both female owned and led engineering consultancies serving the defence sector, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will deepen defence cooperation between Australia and the USA in light of the recent AUKUS pact.
The partnership deal was inked to formalise an existing relationship between the two companies to share knowledge and work to support critical defence maritime programs.
The relationship sets both companies up to not only jointly support existing naval programs and capabilities such as the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer Aegis Weapon System upgrade (Sea 4000 Phase 6), undersea surveillance programs, and Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer sustainment; but to also leverage the scientific and engineering developments potentially generated by AUKUS.
ADROITA and BecTech say they will be equipped to jointly provide support to Defence when Australia and the USA formalise technology sharing arrangements under the AUKUS deal. This includes engineering and technical support to Australia’s acquisition of and transition to a nuclear-powered submarine capability, as well as long range strike weapons, hypersonics, artificial intelligence, emerging undersea capabilities, submarine construction yard design and delivery, and ordnance facility design.
ADROITA will bring local experience and expertise in maritime acquisition and sustainment and specialist operations, combat systems, systems integration and lifecycle management knowledge to the partnership. BecTech will contribute weapons and combat system design and systems integration expertise, their proven experience in the management of complex US weapons and naval programs, submarine construction yard experience with the Sea 1000 Future Submarine program, and the construction, testing and operations of nuclear-powered submarines.
“I’m delighted about transforming ADROITA’s relationship with BecTech into a partnership that will deliver real results to Defence, with our first joint project commencing this week," ADROITA CEO Sarah Pavillard said. "This partnership will increase Defence cooperation between Australia and the USA and will strengthen Australia’s sovereign combat systems engineering and integration capability.”
“It is great to be back in Australia, and it is an exciting time to be here with so many important programs underway," BecTech VP International Programs Mike Fierro said. "Our relationship with ADROITA reflects our continuing commitment to contribute to Defence’s capability and capacity and in a way that promotes Australian Industry Capability. ”
BecTech joins ADROITA in Australia this week to kick off a work package to plan a technical activity for Defence.