For the Australian companies, it was an opportunity to tour the facilities of the GSC prime contractors and view the Type 26 Frigate in production, Rheinmetall’s Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle and Thales’ Optronics facility in Glasgow. During the mission, the companies were provided with multiple opportunities to pitch their products, network with the primes and their major suppliers, and speak with key procurement, engineering and program management staff.

This is the first trade mission to include a program of visits to multiple GSC prime contractors and provided an excellent platform for future GSC missions. Up to 24 companies participated in each leg of the mission, which also included a visit to the French Ministry of Defence in Bourges organised by the Victorian government.

Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne spent a day on the Australian stand at Eurosatory meeting with companies and hearing about their technologies. Australian companies participating in the trade mission were provided with a series of market and prime contractor briefings in the lead up to Eurosatory, followed by a networking function at the Australian embassy in Paris.

Participants in the mission have reported a large number of inquiries and interest from foreign militaries, prime customers and many of their major suppliers, leading to opportunities for additional contracts, partnerships and collaborations.

The Team Defence Australia program is supported by the Australian Defence Export Office. More information about getting involved in future missions is available here.