BAE Systems Australia has signed a $270 million contract with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ESSM consortium to uplift the production of components and assemblies for the Block 2 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM).
The contract will grow BAE Systems Australia’s ESSM workforce by 24 full time positions, including four new apprentices.
ESSM is in service with the Royal Australian Navy, as well as the navies of Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey, the US, Belgium, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. It has also been ordered by Finland.
"Increasing the rate of production of ESSM Block 2 components will ensure Australia and its allies continue to contribute to peace and stability while remaining protected," said BAE Systems Australia's Managing Director – Defence Delivery, Andrew Gresham.
"This contract builds on decades of experience delivering domestic and export guided weapon programs and reinforces our position as a key enabler to the Commonwealth’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise."