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Australia’s defence industry capability has played a key role in the 2019 iteration of Indo-Pacific Endeavour – as Australia seeks to expand its defence exports with regional partners.
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The most recent engagement was on board HMAS Canberra at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019 (IPE19). Under the initiative, the Australian Defence Export Office (ADEO) together with the IPE19 Joint Task Force (JTF) showcases some of the prized outputs of Australian defence industry to host nations while industry representatives champion their products and services.
Military members also provide their perspectives and practical operational experience in support of defence industry. JTF staff officer Squadron Leader Steven Rae has facilitated the exhibitions and said the collaboration involved a lot of planning.
"The goal of the Defence Export Expo is to achieve greater export successes, making Australia’s defence industry globally competitive, all in support of better capability for the Australian Defence Force. This aligns with the Defence Export Strategy," SQNLDR Rae said.
He said Australian defence export capabilities and services were displayed during the official reception on board HMAS Canberra to maximise exposure and interest.
Other equipment included the Hawkei and Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, an EF88 Advanced Steyr from Thales Australia, DroneShield’s drone gun, the Soldier Combat Ensemble from Australian Defence Apparel, and products from Aspen Medical, which delivers health services to the ADF.
"This is a great new initiative that illustrates the diversity of thinking that has gone into IPE19. I’ve really enjoyed discussing future capabilities and people power with our regional partners. Our relationships with our neighbours matters," SQNLDR Rae said.
The Defence Export Strategy builds upon the government's defence industry policy by setting out a comprehensive system to plan, guide and measure defence export outcomes.
The government recognises that Australian industry cannot sustain itself on the needs of the Australian Defence Force alone. New markets and opportunities to diversify are required to help unlock the full potential of Australian defence industry to grow, innovate and support Defence’s future needs. Exports will provide our defence industry with greater certainty of future investment and support high-end manufacturing jobs for Australians for generations to come.
The strategic goal over the next decade to 2028 is to achieve greater export success to build a stronger, more sustainable and more globally competitive Australian defence industry to support Australia’s Defence capability needs. In support of this strategic goal, the government’s ambition is to achieve the following five objectives by 2028:
- Strengthen the partnership between the Australian government and industry to pursue defence export opportunities;
- Sustain Australia's defence industrial capabilities across peaks and troughs in domestic demand;
- Enable greater innovation and productivity in Australia's defence industry to deliver world-leading Defence capabilities;
- Maintain the capability edge of the ADF and leverage Defence capability development for export opportunities; and
- Grow Australia's defence industry to become a top 10 global defence exporter.
The strategy provides $20 million in additional annual funding from 2018-19 to support Australia’s defence exports. A new Australian Defence Export Office will be created within the Department of Defence to provide a focal point for defence exports and drive implementation of the strategy.
IPE19 is on the home stretch back to Australia after a successful three-month engagement with regional partners.
For further information on the Defence Export Strategy, please email:
