Australian small to mid-size enterprises (SMEs) in the engineering, training and simulation industries are front and centre in Babcock Australasia’s bid to deliver 16 Special Forces helicopters to the Australian Defence Force.
Innovation and job creation are central to the Australian company’s plan to deliver the Special Forces support helicopters to be used in observation, counter-terror and extraction operations.
With 95% of all maintenance, repair and overhaul work to be undertaken in Australia, Babcock is working closely with 12 SME partners as well as education providers to deliver a solution responsive to Defence’s needs.
The project will create 178 new jobs and generate $326.6 million AUD in economic benefits, while supporting local R&D, generating technology and knowledge transfer as well as export opportunities.
Babcock’s partners include Airspeed Composites, Bend-Tech, Craig International Ballistics, Eagle Copters Australasia, FlightSafety International, HeliMods, L3Harris Technologies, Logistic Engineering Services, MMC Learning and Development (MMCLD), Omni Executive, Praxis Aerospace and Virtual Simulation Systems.
Babcock and its Australian SME partners will customise the Bell 429 GlobalRanger to meet Australian Special Forces requirements for the LAND2097 Phase 4 project. Their combined expertise will ensure the capability provided remains at the cutting edge of Special Forces aviation.
Delivering an agile and responsive sovereign capability is central to Babcock’s Australian Industry Capability (AIC) plan, with all partners selected specifically for reliability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness and their Australian IP expertise.
Babcock Chief Executive Officer, David Ruff said supporting Australian industry was integral to Babcock Australasia’s strategic focus of building Australia’s defence capability and capacity.
“We recognise the importance of supporting Australian innovation and developing and enhancing local skills, knowledge, systems, technology and infrastructure to meet Australia’s defence capability goals, create jobs and support economic growth,” he said.
“This approach is central to our current and future business and fully aligns with the Australian Department of Defence’s Australian Industry Capability (AIC) program.
“The global footprint of Babcock International Group means we can bring world-leading technology, expertise and IP to Australia and New Zealand to build local defence capacity and capability.
“Babcock Australasia has an established reputation for treating its suppliers as partners, not vendors. We work collaboratively with our partner network to generate solutions for our customers that are cost-effective, collaborative and trusted to deliver,” Mr Ruff said.
Executive Director, Strategy and Future Business, Graeme Nayler, said the expertise and experience of Babcock’s partner network was essential to its bid.
“Our local SME partners offer specialist capabilities that are vital to our Defence offering, from maintenance, repair and overhaul, ballistics protection and targeting systems, to logistics support, engineering services and simulation and computer-based training.
“Our Defence work, including bids for new contracts such as LAND125 Phase 4 Field Equipment, JP9101 Enhanced Defence High Frequency Communications System and LAND2097 Phase 4 Special Forces Helicopter Capability, has a proven track record of partnership with Australian suppliers and communities.
“In building on our established commitment to Australian industry, we also work with Indigenous-owned and operated businesses, support veteran employment as well as provide backing for STEM initiatives in schools, universities and TAFEs.
“These activities are business as usual for Babcock”, Mr Nayler said.
Read more about Babcock’s commitment to Australian Industry Capability
Read moreAbout Babcock
Babcock Australasia is a 100% Australian company, employing over 1100 Australians and New Zealanders. Operating across Defence, Emergency Services and Oil & Gas sectors, we support our customers’ technical, programme and complex platform requirements through our proven processes, systems and people. A subsidiary of Babcock International Group, we are proud to help keep our nation secure, our communities safe and the country moving, using Babcock’s specialist skills and knowledge to facilitate our client’s operational requirements.
A global solution being delivered locally.
For further information, contact:
Babcock Australasia
Dr Sharon Mascall-Dare
Head of Marketing & Communications
Mobile + 61 408 701 420