Page 35 - Australian Defence Magazine March-April 2022

MARCH-APRIL 2022 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
DEFENCE EXPORT 35
“It demonstrates that Henderson can build in steel and we see it as a great export opportunity going forward.
“Aluminium has a lower melting point. and therefore re- quires much more careful heat control as you weld the ma- terial, so if you can weld aluminium you can weld steel, and right from the very first of the Guardian-class there were absolutely no quality problems and no delays.”
Last year Austal delivered two all-aluminium 58-foot Cape-class patrol boats to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, and is currently discussing establishment of a main- tenance base in Trinidad to replace temporary assistance.
“So, we’re happy to export technology, capability, people. We operate eight service centres around the world worth $293 million in 2020 reducing to $164 million in 2021 due to Covid issues, and we want to grow that to $500 million,” Gregg stated.
“We do have a contract to provide initial maintenance support on the Guardians as they’re delivered and for some of the major work they’re brought back to Cairns.”
THALES
Thales Australia reported 2021 exports of $117 million, a significant percentage of which will have been derived from its subsidiary Australian Munitions which the previ- ous year disclosed record sales of more than $30 million
to 17 countries despite COVID-induced disruptions to the supply chain.
Over the past 10 years the parent company has won export orders of $1.6 billion, in part from the sale of its Austra- lian Minesweeping and Support System (AMASS) to nine allied navies and in part for so-
nar components and systems,
but primarily for the export of
190 Bushmaster 4x4 protected “AT PRESENT, AUSTAL’S mobility vehicles.
These are now serving with
the Netherlands, UK, Fiji, Japan,
Jamaica, Indonesia, and New
Zealand. Late last year produc- BOATS GIFTED BY AUSTRALIA tion began at Thales’ Bendigo
facility of a further 43 Bushmas-
ters ordered by New Zealand in
2020 at a cost of $102 million to
join the five already equipping
that country’s SAS.
The Bushmaster NZ5.5 is a unique configuration and will be delivered in troop carrier, command, ambulance, maintenance and logistics variants. Enhancements include an increased 5-tonne payload; improved fragmentation, blast and ballistic protection; increased cabin space; driver
EXPORT OUTPUT INVOLVES THE
CONSTRUCTION AT HENDERSON OF 21 GUARDIAN-CLASS PATROL
TO 12 PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS UNDER THE PACIFIC PATROL BOAT REPLACEMENT PROJECT”
This Story Australia interviews veterans to preserve their personal
stories in documentary film. In essence, we want to get to know the
person behind the uniform. Testimonials illustrate that this project
is making an immediate difference to our veterans, their families,
the wider community and as an integral component of Australia’s
history. We preserve our connection to the past in the most relevant
“This Story Australia, a Brisbane based charity is giving not only to the people of Queensland, but to all of Australia, an immense and powerful gift. The power
is always in the story. Military history can sometimes be difficult to access and engage, but the most effective and powerful way to do so is to see, listen to and feel these stories as
they are told. This
creates a deeper
understanding of
what it means to be
Australian.”
– Dr. Brendan Nelson AO
way we can, by recording someone’s truth in their own words and sharing it with the community.
Representation matters and it must be at the forefront of the conversation. In many instances our veteran’s personal stories have been the absent part of our commemoration. This needs to change, and This Story Australia is a catalyst for this change.
In 2022 we are reaching out to the business community to ask for help. Supporting This Story Australia is a great way to show your commitment to our veteran community.
“PULLQUOTE.”
Follow us on social media or contact us today to discuss how you can become involved.
THISSTORY.COM.AU
ABOVE: Caption Um rem laut militat est, velenditat fuga. Ant fugitature ma nit pro te nonsequibus,
38 COMPLETED INTERVIEWS
OF WWII, VIETNAM, MALAYA, KOREAN
These videos are gifted to State Libraries for archive and exhibition purposes and to the families of veterans as precious reminders of their loved one’s service.
AND CONTEMPORARY VETERANS