The facility, tipped to generate 50 new local jobs, was co-funded by the Andrews Labor government and Saab.

The centre is expected to serve as Saab’s Asia-Pacific hub for integrated communications systems – creating software and systems engineering roles.

As a result, Saab’s global Deployable Health Care Centre of Excellence will be relocated from Sweden to Victoria.

The arrangement includes the transfer of technology and IP to Victoria.

“Investments like these are critical to our economic recovery – fostering innovation, boosting local supply chain opportunities and creating jobs in the defence sector,” Minister Pallas commented.

“This ground-breaking work will also develop the skills of local experts and position Victoria as a world leader in the sector.”

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Saab Australia managing director Andy Keough noted the importance of the new facility in supporting the company’s ambitions in the local defence space.

“Saab has had a small office and team based in Melbourne for over a decade, but this co-investment will see our Melbourne footprint expand to enable the delivery of major new defence projects, along with continued in-service support for Australian Defence Force equipment,” Keough said.

This comes just days after Saab Australia and health technology company Philips Australia signed a contract to jointly support the Commonwealth government’s deployable health capability (DHC) program, Joint Program 2060 Phase 3.

Phillips is one of a number of partners tapped by Saab for its delivery of flexible and fully operational deployable hospitals to the Australian Defence Force.

Specifically, Philips has been tasked with leading the provision and integration of healthcare solutions and medical technical equipment, funded by an initial $2 million starting contract.

Over the next 18 months, Phillips’ contract is expected to increase to a value of approximately $50 million.

The project is tipped to deliver advanced point of care diagnostics, enabling emergency field doctors, surgeons and clinical teams to make informed diagnostic decisions at the scene of the emergency.

Matt Moran, managing director of Philips Australia and New Zealand, welcomed the opportunity to work alongside Saab Australia.

“We’ve brought together a suite of solutions that meet the special requirements of the Australian Deployable Health Capability program, maximising the possibilities of healthcare delivery from anywhere and anytime,” Moran said.

“Our innovative and technologically advanced solutions will facilitate access to care in the most critical emergency situations, benefiting the Australian Defence Forces and civilians alike.”

[Related: Saab and Philips enter partnership for development of ADF deployable healthcare capabilities]