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Victoria is home to over 200 SMEs with capabilities to participate in the supply chains to support the SEA 1000 project and Collins Class upgrade and sustainment programs. Victoria Defence Alliance (VDA) and Naval Group recently brought together SMEs to discuss the opportunities available.
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There are over 200 small to medium enterprises in Victoria with capabilities to participate in the supply chains to support the SEA 1000 project and Collins Class upgrade and sustainment.
As such, they represent a significant part of the national submarine industry supply chain capability. The VDA-Submarines brings focus to this group and supports them in their endeavours to win work in these supply chains.
Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne said, "As of 1 June 2018, 873 have registered interest with Naval Group, and 227 have registered interest with Lockheed Martin Australia. Maximising Australian industry’s involvement in the Future Submarine Program is vitally important to the construction and sustainment of the submarine fleet into the future."
The latest session included a presentation from Brent Clark, adviser to the Naval Group Australia board and former interim CEO of Naval Group Australia. Clark addressed the approach and actions being taken by Naval Group to meet the government’s commitment for the SEA 1000 Project will be a national endeavour.
Charlotte Morris, VDA-Submarines manager, said, "The alliance welcomes the support from Naval Group Australia and this briefing will enable industry in Victoria to further develop their understanding of action required to meet the supply chain opportunities from the SEA 1000 Project."
The latest session also included a presentation from David Chuter, the CEO of the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) about how that CRC will be assisting SMEs to ‘future proof manufacturing’.
"It’s critical we establish the local capability to support the build, operation and sustainment of the Future Submarine fleet," said Minister Pyne.
Additionally, Chuter's presentation covered the IMCRC’s future map tool, which assists companies to map their journey to achieving competitiveness and success using the manufacturing processes and capabilities required in the future.
Jürgen Schneider, chair of VDA-Submarines, said, "The information gained from the IMCRC will help prepare Victoria’s industry to be competitive in the SEA 1000 supply chain. It is critical for our members to be engaged in the current transformation of industry and the digitalisation of manufacturing."
The $50 billion Future Submarine Program is expected to generate an annual average of around 2,800 Australian jobs, with 1,100 direct and 1,700 in the supply chain.
Companies wishing to register interest can find further information at www.NavalGroupFutureSubmarine.icn.org.au and www.LMAFutureSubmarine.icn.org.au
