Bolstering South Australia's reputation as the defence and space state, French cyber tech giant, Squad will establish itself at Lot Fourteen creating up to 40 new jobs over the next three years.
Premier Steven Marshall said the company's decision to move to South Australia is an endorsement of the state's burgeoning defence, space and cyber sectors.
"Eric Guillerm, the Chairman of Squad, and I have had many discussions about a move to Adelaide, and I'm delighted they have made the decision to come to Lot Fourteen," said the Premier.
"This announcement is another major vote of confidence in our state's high-tech and high-growth industries. National and international organisations are choosing South Australia to tap into our defence, space and cyber industries, creating a pipeline of jobs for decades to come.
"Our goal is to stop the brain drain interstate, grow our population, bolster our economy and lead the nation across these high-tech and high-growth industries.
"The $90 billion investment from the Commonwealth presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for South Australians to take advantage of the jobs on offer from the 9 Hunter Class Frigates and 12 Attack Class Submarines being built in Adelaide.
"These projects are boosting economic growth, driving business confidence and having a real, measurable impact on our state."
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, David Ridgway said the announcement is yet another coup for Lot Fourteen.
"We've seen such rapid development here on the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, with national and international investment flowing through," said Minister Ridgway.
"Companies like Squad provide a boost to the high-tech and high-growth ecosystem we're growing down here at Lot Fourteen. This demonstrates a promising future for our state."
Squad co-founder and CEO Marc Brua who was part of French President Emmanuel Macron's official delegation during his State visit to Australia in 2018, said the company was thrilled to be making the move to South Australia.
"To make that first step abroad, for a foreign company like Squad, is no easy feat; so, support programs such as a landing pad, which enable us to land and begin hiring and integrating locally, are imperative to our longer-term success," Mr Brua said.
"Squad announced a 2024 Strategy in July this year which sets out strategic ambitions focussing on international markets.
International Director for Squad, Antoine Hautin said the first phase of the company's internationalisation has been the opening of Squad Australia CS which will serve as a gateway to the Asia Pacific region in the longer term.
"Today, we have around 10 to 15 consultants in Australia providing high level expertise on several defence projects. To keep growing, we will have to work closely with local partners, including high education institutions," Mr Hautin said.
"Our Chairman, Eric Guillerm, has had several instrumental meetings with Premier Marshall over the past years which have led to the choice of Adelaide as the place for our headquarters in Australia where we know companies benefit from strong support from the state government.
"International companies should be looking seriously at Australia for their international development. Australia's Future Submarine Program contract is having a direct positive impact on the South Australian business environment - and Squad's decision to settle in Adelaide is an example of this."
For further information on the SALP, including details on eligibility, visit: https://dtti.sa.gov.au/investment/south-australian-landing-pad
For more information about the Defence and Space Landing Pad, visit: https://www.defencesa.com/defence-and-space-landing-pad
