The peak industry body for small-to-medium defence industry firms, the Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) welcomed the announcement of the successful SEA 5000 tenderer BAE.
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ASC Shipbuilding will build the next generation of frigates as a subsidiary of BAE Systems during the build. This is a further demonstration of BAE Systems' collaboration with the Australian government and a commitment which will see Australia's industrial capacity fully leveraged in this national effort.
“We would like to congratulate both BAE Systems on the win and ASC Shipbuilding securing a major role in the $35-billion Future Frigate program,” AIDN national president Rob Forbes.
The government's investment into the $89-billion Naval Shipbuilding Plan and BAE’s winning design will be responsible for directly creating 4,000 jobs around the country while kickstarting the the nation's sustained sovereign shipbuilding capability once construction commences in 2020, this alone is a real game changer for Australian SME environment.
Forbes said “we are pleased that the SEA 5000 program will be a real investment and provide opportunity to Australia’s small-to-medium defence industry businesses and its workforce, a win for the industry and a win for our members.”