Page 32 - Australian Defence Magazine March-April 2022

32 DEFENCE EXPORT
MARCH-APRIL 2022 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
DEFENCE
EXPORT
SUCCESS
Although the estimated value of Australian defence export permits in FY 2020-21 dipped to around $2.7 billion and 3,600 applications, total value
in 2021-22 is expected to improve as industry continues to adjust to challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
JULIAN KERR | SYDNEY
THE estimated value of permits in 2019-20 was $5.2 billion covering 3,550 applications, according to the Defence Ex- port Controls branch.
In 2018-19, the year in which the Turnbull government launched its campaign to become one of the world’s top 10 military exporters by the end of the 2020s, it was $4.9 bil- lion with 4,000 applications.
Since the arrival of COVID-19 in Australia in 2020, ex- porters have faced obstacles ranging from disruptions in production and delivery to travel restrictions and the can- cellation of international trade shows.
Measures introduced by Defence to help industry over- come such challenges have included fast-
tracking invoices, advancing work, and pro-
viding financial support. Defence has also
REMOTE WEAPONS STATIONS
For Canberra company Electro-Optic Systems (EOS), exports to the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia and the US over the foreseeable future will continue at between 65 to 75 per cent of business, reflecting continuing growth internationally at a time in which its domestic footprint is also expanding
“We will continue to grow the revenue base of the busi- ness – remote weapon stations (RWS), satcom terminals and satellite management solutions – and a bigger percent- age of our revenue will be from Australia, but the majority of the business will never be Australian-based,” commented
initiated virtual trade events and online en- gagements with international customers.
Australia’s main defence exports are prod- ucts and components that fit into broader global supply chains for weapons and weap- ons systems – for example the lucrative man- ufacture of key components for the global production and sustainment of the Lock- heed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
“THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF PERMITS IN 2019- 20 WAS $5.2 BILLION COVERING 3,550 APPLICATIONS”
Grant Sanderson, CEO, EOS Defence Sys- tems (Global), whose new title, announced in December, now more accurately reflects the company’s multinational activities.
In terms of RWS, EOS has delivered 2,030 systems over the past 10 years, just 480 of them to the ADF although the Common- wealth has ordered another 80 on which production will begin at the end of this year.
EOS RWS are now in service with nine countries (including Australia), primarily the R400-Mk.2 which can be configured to de-
Nevertheless, it’s the export of identifiable products which understandably attracts public attention, with such successes generally reflecting years of research and devel- opment and bringing with them significant acquisition and sustainment revenue, and the likelihood of further develop- ment and associated upgrades.
In discussing workflow with four prominent exporters, new opportunities loom large in their forward planning while they continue to benefit from current activities.
ploy a variety of weapons including a machine gun, a 30mm lightweight cannon and an automatic grenade launcher.
Meanwhile production at the company’s Canberra facil- ity is continuing to meet the $450 million contract signed with the UAE in February 2019 for R400-Mk.2 RWS for the UAE Navy and for critical infrastructure protection.
More than 250 of the heavier R600 system, capable of housing two weapons for maximum firepower, are in ser- vice on Singapore Armed Forces’ Terrex 8x8 infantry carri-