- Success for WA businesses off the back of bipartisan trade mission
- Cook Government joins forces with global defence leaders to ready WA for AUKUS
- All part of the Made in WA plan to diversify the economy and create long-term jobs
Western Australian businesses have secured international defence deals that will boost the State's economy and support local jobs following a bipartisan trade mission to the United Kingdom.
A delegation of more than 20 WA businesses, led by Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia had the opportunity to showcase their world-class capability and connect with industry heavyweights at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) in London - the world's largest defence expo.
Fremantle's CiTech, which builds self-deploying mobile phone towers for remote and hostile locations, has now signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global defence firm Babcock, to send its WA-made tech to Ukraine through the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
Fremantle's Greenroom Robotics, developers of AI software that makes ships autonomous, has struck a strategic deal with British company SubSea Craft.
While Henderson-based Franmarine has been chosen to provide biofouling services for AUKUS submarines set to rotate through WA from next year.
The Cook Government has also signed an MoU with BAE, Europe's largest defence contractor. Through the MoU, the WA Government is set to create high paying, skilled jobs for decades at what will become the Henderson Defence Precinct.
The collaboration with BAE will support workforce training and development and help grow WA's defence industry, focusing on integrating local businesses into international supply chains.
Another MoU has been signed with Rolls-Royce, a company which has powered the Royal Navy's nuclear submarines for more than six decades. The partnership will ensure the WA workforce is ready to seize upcoming AUKUS opportunities.
The trade mission is all part of the Cook Government's Made in WA plan to build more things in WA, support generations of jobs and keep the State's economy the strongest in the nation.
As stated by Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia:
"Western Australia has the world's largest resources sector and the skilled workforce to fill gaps in the UK defence supply chain.
"Our businesses are world-class and helping them to grow across borders will create local jobs and strengthen the State's economy, but we can also benefit from the expertise of our allies.
"As the home of our nation's submarine fleet, WA is focused on the rapidly approaching task of sustaining nuclear-powered submarines from 2027.
"The new partnerships with two of the world's biggest defence companies will ensure our workforce is AUKUS ready."
As stated by Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Since 2017, we have been working to position WA as the home of naval ship designing, building and sustainment activities; and submarine sustainment and maintenance work, and our efforts are paying off.
"An increased investment in defence capabilities is set to create more than 10,000 new skilled jobs over the next two decades.
"The Cook Government is investing in TAFE and supporting employers to take on more apprentices for the range of diversified job opportunities that will flow as Western Australian defence-related businesses expand to grasp opportunities at home and globally."
