Naval Group to launch Local Manufacturing Package, inviting Australian businesses to contribute to build of Future Submarines
The French defence giant building the $50b Future Submarines is inviting Australian businesses to express an interest in being part of the project, in a move that will create hundreds of jobs.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australian manufacturers can apply to build parts for the $50bn Future Submarines project, in a move that will support hundreds of local jobs and inject millions into the economy.
Naval Group – the French-based defence giant awarded the contract to build the 12 Attack-class submarines at Osborne – and the Federal Government will on Friday launch the first Local Manufacturing Package, expected to be worth $900m.
The package invites Australian businesses to submit an expression of interest to build specialised submarine equipment, creating new opportunities for manufacturers.
The offer – the first of many throughout the life of the 50-year project – also allays concerns that much of the submarine work would flow back to France.
The launch comes on the same day Naval Group is opening its new $25m headquarters at Port Adelaide, which will eventually be home to about 350 employees.
Naval Group’s executive vice-president of the Future Submarine program Jean-Michel Billig said the announcement demonstrated the company’s commitment to Australian industry.
“Ever since Naval Group has been chosen as strategic partner for the Attack-class submarine program, we have had a strong focus on ensuring that significant benefits are delivered to Australians and local industry through the 50-year program,” Mr Billig said.
“This is a milestone day for this program, Naval Group and Australian manufacturers.
“Importantly, through this manufacturing occurring in Australia, local business capability will be enhanced for generations, meaning the legacy of this program goes beyond the regionally superior submarines we will deliver.” Naval Group announced in February that 60 per cent of its $50bn contract to build the 12 submarines would be spent within Australia.
Naval Group Australia chief executive officer John Davis said the company was sending a message to Australian industry that it meant business.
“Our team has been working closely with local industry to prepare for the significant work that is required to deliver these submarines and the selection of our capability partners will mark another significant milestone achievement for Australian industry and the program,” Mr Davis said.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said Naval Group’s commitment demonstrated the benefits to Australian industry that would flow from the submarine program.
“As we approach the preliminary design in January 2021, this is a critical phase of the program where we are in the process of designing and selecting more than a million submarine parts that need to work perfectly together,” Ms Reynolds said. “The skills and knowledge to manufacture this equipment and others will progressively be transferred to Australian industry.”
The expression-of-interest process closes on Monday, November 16.
Gang ‘shot wrong man’: Chilling messages allegedly reveal murder plot
Alleged members of an African street gang were conspiring to kill a rival gang member, however, their intended target was not the innocent 18-year-old boy they allegedly shot in the leg, a court has heard.
Public home revolution after scathing tradie pay scandal review
Vulnerable South Australians will be fast-tracked into empty public homes amid SA’s crippling shortage crisis as taxpayers spend almost $40m extra to fix a surge of vacant properties. Subscribe to read the changes.