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Saab Australia expects that the local design and development of the company’s combat management system multi-function consoles (MFC) will create up to $25 million in new revenue opportunities for the company’s SME supply chain.
The company commenced the creation of the MFCs in 2018 to develop enhanced situational awareness system capabilities for the Commonwealth’s Arafura Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).
According to Saab Australia, the new MFC capability provides cost effective and tactically enhanced solutions through a robust supply chain with Australian industry, such as Applidyne for engineering services, SAGE Automation for manufacturing, and the University of South Australia’s Human Factors and Ergonomic Studies team for academia.
“Working closely with Australian industry, academia and end-users, our Adelaide-based hardware team fully designed and developed a new console. We have established a highly capable local supply chain to manufacture a now globally leading combat management system MFC,” Andy Keough, managing director of Saab Australia said.
“Together, we’re supporting the growth of Australia’s sovereign defence industry and in-country capability, and with Saab’s expanding portfolio of high-tech global export programs we will continue to provide opportunities for our local industry partners, as well as strong pathways into global supply chains.”
Until recently, the combat management system capability had only been available in Sweden. However, efforts of Saab Australia have created Australian supply solutions, with 60 per cent Australian industry capability.
Over coming years, it is expected that the company will have the opportunity to export more than 125 MFC units which were tailored for Defence’s OPV.
[Related: Saab to deliver anti-tank systems to India]
