Air defence project to create 500 jobs
At least 500 jobs will be created under a $2.5 billion investment in new air missile systems that will be assembled at a defence industry precinct in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
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Work will start today on a centre in Adelaide’s northern suburbs where the nation’s $2.5 billion short-range air defence missile system will be assembled, creating 500 jobs.
About 200 workers will build Raytheon Australia’s Centre for Joint Integration at Mawson Lakes over the next 18 months.
Another 300 staff will be based there for a decade, assembling and maintaining the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System.
They are rugged vehicles with missiles mounted on the back that will allow the Army to counter airborne threats from beyond visual range.
It is designed to locate and destroy enemy aircraft, drones or missiles. Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and Premier Steven Marshall will today attend the official launch of works on the centre.
The new, short-range air defence capability, announced in 2017, is expected to transform the Australian Army’s protection of its ground troops on overseas missions.
Mr Pyne said the $2.5 billion purchase would combine world-leading Australian radar technology with an air defence system that would contribute to the “protection of our service men and women from modern airborne threats”.
Systems engineers who worked on the Air Warfare Destroyer project, as well as other defence industry professionals, will work on the major project.
Mr Marshall said it would create hi-tech jobs and supply chain and export opportunities for SA’s defence industry.
“This significant facility strengthens SA’s position as a key strategic hub for Raytheon Australia, one of the largest defence companies in the Australian market,” he said.
“It will accelerate growth in the defence sector and supports future Raytheon programs across maritime, aerospace, cyber and systems integration.”
Australia is the 10th nation to acquire and adopt the NASAMS technology, replacing the Army’s current ageing RBS-70 man-portable air defence system.
It will boast Australian-designed and built radars from Canberra-based company, CEA Technologies, integrated with an Australian vehicle, the Thales Hawkei.
Raytheon Australia managing director Michael Ward said Norway’s Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, which makes missile canister launchers, would also use the Mawson Lakes centre in assembling the air defence system.
“The system will eventually become the inner tier of Australia’s integrated air and missile defence capability,” Mr Ward said. Defence Industry Minister Linda Reynolds said Australian industry would secure more than $1 billion of the total investment in acquiring and maintaining the short-range air defence capability.
“This project is further proof of the Government’s determination to build a sovereign and sustainable defence industrial base as a national strategic asset,” she said.
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