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DCNS, Lockheed Martin Australia and Department of Defence officials from the Future Submarine Program (FSP) hosted the third Future Submarine industry day in Melbourne to engage with potential industry partners.
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Over 320 Australian companies, research and development organisations and educational institutions gathered in Melbourne to hear from key FSP representatives who updated them on progress to date, future development plans and potential engagement opportunities.
DCNS is the Platform System Integrator (PSI) and Lockheed Martin Australia is the Combat System Integrator (CSI) for the project.
In Victoria, 189 requests for information have been issued to over 45 companies, 39 Victorian companies have completed the DCNS supplier pre-qualification questionnaire and 10 companies have already undergone questionnaire validation audits, which is the next step in the process of becoming eligible for the DCNS supply chain.
Interim chief executive officer for DCNS Australia Brent Clark said the briefings demonstrated the company's commitment to Australian industry, as well as giving them opportunities to engage with potential partners.
“We are committed to maximising Australian industry involvement in the FSP, especially with regard to operation and sustainment,” said Clark.
"Briefings like the one today are important as they give us an opportunity to meet with potential partners, update them on the project and let them know how to become involved. Today we will be providing an overview of the program schedule, a description of upcoming industrial activities and an indication of when and in which areas Australian industry will have the opportunity to become engaged."
Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne previously praised the briefings for the opportunities they offer to Australian industry.
"These types of high-level engagements with defence industry again demonstrate the government’s commitment to maximising Australian industry involvement in the Future Submarine Program," Minister Pyne said.
"Successful industry days have already been conducted in Adelaide and Sydney, with more than 450 representatives attending in Adelaide and more than 270 representatives attending in Sydney. Participants have been from a range of companies, research and development organisations and educational institutions."
Minister Pyne said feedback has been positive with attendees at the Adelaide and Sydney industry days commenting on the benefit of the briefings, which included information on the timeline and progress of the Future Submarine Program.
The next industry day planned is in Brisbane on 11 May. Further industry days will continue across Australia throughout 2017 in Perth, Hobart and Darwin.
