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There is great news out of Canberra for Australian defence industry SMEs today, as a national roadshow kicks off for the Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels.
The roadshow will start off in Adelaide, then head west to Perth, then over to Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney.
With billions of dollars-worth of work up for grabs with both projects, SMEs have been invited to register and get involved.
The Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said the roadshow is an important part of the government's commitment to the local defence industry and growing the Australian supply chain for Australia's continuous naval shipbuilding effort.
“The Turnbull government is setting a new direction for the defence industry in Australia and this roadshow is a critical part of greater local business involvement,” Minister Pyne said
"Where possible and practical, we should use Australian companies to garner both the economic benefits of a thriving domestic defence sector, as well as contributing to the ability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to respond to Australia’s national security requirements.
“The Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessel programs will directly create over 2500 jobs for Australians and will indirectly support the jobs of many thousands more. However, to ensure this occurs, it is critical that we provide Australian companies with opportunities to enter the supply chain.
“By building and assembling these assets in Australia, the government is driving jobs and growth in our local defence industry."
In his address, Mr Pyne said that the $35 billion program to build nine anti-submarine warfare frigates would commence construction in Adelaide by 2020.
The $3-4 billion program to construct 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels will begin in Adelaide in 2018, at the Osborne Shipyard and transition to Western Australia.
Minister Pyne encouraged Australian businesses to register with the newly-created Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) to be in the best position to benefit from Australia's naval shipbuilding program.
“Headquartered in Adelaide and supported by a state network of advisers, CDIC has been established to provide new ways for defence and industry to work together and will ensure a closer alignment between industry’s investment in future skills and Defence’s capability needs,” Mr Pyne said.
Businesses can register their interest in SEA5000 on the CDIC website by visiting www.business.gov.au/CDIC
For details on the dates and locations of the Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessel Roadshow: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/department-of-defence-11842283748
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