Premier Steven Marshall, who will be promoting the initiative when he attends Euro Naval in Paris this week, said the Landing Pad will enable international businesses to build relationships with South Australian businesses and create opportunities for supply chain collaboration.

Companies will also have access to government and industry support services in a single location, providing assistance with local regulations, migration, business establishment and real estate, as well as information on workforce availability and skilling opportunities.

"The Defence Landing Pad combines our defence industry credentials with our culture of innovation. The Defence Landing Pad will provide the opportunity for South Australia to capture new defence industry investment, as part of a growing local industry with significant employment opportunities," Premier Marshall said. 

Developed on the site of the former Royal Adelaide Hospital, Lot Fourteen is being transformed into one of the nation's premier technology innovation hubs playing home to defence, cyber security, artificial intelligence and space companies. 

Premier Marshall said, "I’m incredibly proud of the Defence Landing Pad initiative, as we launch a new way in which South Australia is fostering collaboration and creating business opportunities for our international defence partners. 

"Companies that join the Defence Landing Pad will have a unique opportunity to be a part of Lot Fourteen, which is fast becoming a business hub for entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporations, mentors, researchers and investors." 

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The Defence Landing Pad will be overseen by Defence SA and will provide immediate access to affordable, short-term office facilities co-located with other like-minded companies and industry associations.

Defence SA chief executive Richard Price said, "The Defence Landing Pad has already received a high level of interest, as it will make it easy for international companies to start doing business in South Australia."

The Defence Landing Pad will provide immediate access to affordable, short-term office facilities, which are co-located with other like-minded companies and industry associations in the Adelaide CBD. Companies will also have access to government and industry support services in a single location, providing assistance with local regulations, migration, business establishment and real estate, as well as information on workforce availability and skilling opportunities.

"We are looking forward to highlighting this unique opportunity and spruiking the benefits of doing business in South Australia to major international companies at Euronaval in Paris from 23-26 October," Price said. 

The seven-hectare redevelopment site aims to drive jobs growth in these fast growing industries as well as blockchain, robotics and related technologies, with around 1,000 people expected to be working at Lot Fourteen by late 2019, with more than 40 businesses, including aerospace, technology and innovation giant Lockheed Martin, recently announcing tenancy in at the site. 

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.