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Two Australian SMEs have been chosen to support Saab Australia’s JP2060 Phase 3 program.
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Saab Australia has awarded subcontracts to NSW-based SME Global Defence Solutions (GDS) and SA-based SME Micro-X to support its JP2060 Phase 3 – Australia’s Deployable Health Capability (DHC) program.
The prime has entered into a memorandum of understanding with GDS, which will be the prime supplier of soft shelter for the program.
“This strategic partnership is a part of Saab’s ongoing commitment to partnering with leading Australian SMEs to deliver superior outcomes for our nation’s defence,” Andy Keough CSC, Saab Australia managing director, said.
“We look forward to working with the GDS team and together creating solutions that will equip our Australian troops with world-class deployable health capability.”
GDS managing director Laurie Koster added: “We are delighted to be able to offer this comprehensive soft shelter solution to Saab and ultimately to the Australian Defence Force.
“This really is at the core of what we do as a business, and we are proud to have an opportunity to deliver these truly innovative shelters.”
Meanwhile, as part of its new $1.3 million contract, Micro-X has been tasked with supplying mobile X-ray technology.
Micro-X’s Power system, which was specifically designed for use in Australian Army deployments, provides full hospital-grade performance with a lightweight deployable solution.
“With the majority of the overall deployable health contract value to be spent leveraging expertise and products from more than 70 Australian companies, this contract with Micro-X is one of many we look forward to signing with Australian businesses in the coming months,” Saab managing director Andy Keough said.
“The flow-on to the industry and national supply chains will be extremely positive – business growth, jobs creation, future export opportunities, and the kind of innovation that led to the development of Micro-X’s groundbreaking Rover system.
“Born from an innovative SME identifying a gap in the market and a partnership with the Department of Defence’s Innovation Hub to commercialise the solution, Micro-X’s Rover system is an excellent example of the opportunities for SMEs as we continue to grow our sovereign industry capability.”
Micro-X managing director Peter Rowland commented: “The Rover system was born in Australia with support from the Australian Defence Force and as a result, Australia’s operational capability and the health outcomes for our deployed personnel will be significantly improved.
“We are very proud to know Australia’s military and humanitarian hospitals will benefit from this world-leading, unrivalled capability and look forward to our partnership with Saab and the potential for the technology’s future application.”
GDS and Micro-X join Aspen Medical, Philips Healthcare Australia & NZ, Broadspectrum and Marshall Land Systems, which have also been selected to deliver and support deployable military and humanitarian hospitals for use in Australia and overseas, in a bid to enhance Australia’s industrial supply chain and sovereign capability.
[Related: Saab managing director joins University of Adelaide council]
