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Australian small businesses are set to benefit from new export opportunities following a Defence Supplier Engagement Day hosted by Babcock Australasia in Henderson, Western Australia.
The event served as a launch pad for local suppliers aiming to expand their reach into international markets. More than 100 representatives from emerging and established Australian suppliers gathered for the inaugural event, gaining valuable insights into how they can progress their global ambitions.
The event provided a platform for businesses yet to enter international markets to explore new avenues for growth and diversification.
Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland said, “This event is designed to be a how-to guide for small and medium enterprises wanting to pursue export opportunities, along with a chance to ask questions and establish preliminary business connections and relationships with the primes in attendance.”
Attendees heard from Ann-Maree Palmer, director of the Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program, an initiative designed to connect leading defence primes with Australian suppliers, enabling them to broaden their work scope and revenue streams across all levels of technological readiness.
Currently, 13 defence primes, including Babcock, participate in this collaborative program. Each prime at the event outlined the specific capabilities they seek within their respective global supply chains, offering businesses a clearer pathway to international expansion.
Kellie Jenkins, Babcock Australasia GSC Program manager, explained the importance of the event, saying, “The event provides an opportunity to boost awareness of the GSC Program in the West and offers suppliers a starting point to build on their successes locally and add resilience into their businesses by creating alternative income opportunities overseas.”
In addition to direct engagement with primes, small businesses had the opportunity to connect with key Australian agencies that facilitate defence exports, including the Office of Defence Industry Support, Team Defence Australia, Austrade, and Export Finance Australia.
“The GSC Program is a collaborative program so it’s great to see representatives from the other primes in attendance, which WA suppliers have the opportunity to engage with. Babcock is uniquely positioned with a dedicated team based in the West, so we are pleased to be able to act as host and hopefully create some meaningful opportunities and connections,” Jenkins added.
The interactive networking event follows Babcock’s recent success in securing its first contracts through the Global Supply Chain Program. By fostering direct collaboration between Australian industry and international markets, the initiative reinforces Australia’s position as a key player in the global defence sector.
Babcock Australasia continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting the growth of Australia’s sovereign defence industry by providing businesses with the resources and connections needed to succeed on the world stage.
