Page 6 - Australian Defence Magazine Dec-Jan 2021

6 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
DECEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
LENDLEASE TO DELIVER AIR 555 PROJECT AT RAAF EDINBURGH
LENDLEASE has recently secured a con- tract with the Department of Defence to deliver the Air555 project at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The project includes the construction of new facilities and infrastructure to sup- port RAAF’s incoming M-55A Peregrine EW aircraft.
Chis Leopold, SA General Manager for Lendlease Building, said the appointment reinforced Lendlease’s local Defence ca- pability and commitment to the region.
“Projects of this scale and significance require the collaboration of many minds and expertise across government, indus- try, the supply chain and community.
“We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with our partners to create world- leading facilities that deliver the next generation of Australian Defence ca- pability here in SA,” he said.
“The impacts of COVID-19 have strengthened our desire to support small
and medium sized enter- prises here in SA and that’s why we will be targeting a minimum of 80 per cent contracts awarded to local companies.
“At its peak the Air555 project will create opportu- nities for 200 local workers.
ABOVE: The project includes the construction of new facilities to support RAAF’s incoming M-55A Peregrine EW aircraft.
“Maximising the opportu-
nity for small businesses to participate in our Defence projects not only boosts the state’s economy, but also helps these businesses ex- pand their local operations, to develop world- class Defence capabilities here in SA.
“Part of this focus involves partnering with the Kaurna people, the Traditional Owners and First Peoples of the Adelaide Plains to unlock the right training, em- ployment and procurement opportunities on the Air555 project.
“Kaurna Nation and Lendlease have en- joyed a proud history of working together
across several projects including Air7000, Northern Connector, Osborne South De- velopment and now Air555.
“We aim to target a minimum of 4 per cent contracts awarded to Indigenous busi- nesses, strengthening our commitment to create sustainable economic development opportunities for the Kaurna community on our projects.”
Work is due to commence in late No- vember 2020, with the Initial Operating Facility and completion in May 2024 of the Main Operating Base Squadron Facility.
PMB CHOSEN FOR SWEDISH SUB BATTERIES
PMB Defence (PMB) have been assigned the contract to supply main storage batter- ies to Saab for Sweden’s next generation submarines.
PMB will manufacture the battery sys- tems at its new production, research and development and engineering facilities sit- uated adjacent to the Osborne Naval Ship- yard in Adelaide.
PMB Defence’s Chief Executive Officer, Ste-
LEFT: PMB will supply batteries to Sweden’s next- gen submarines.
phen Faulkner said that PMB have had a long and collabora- tive relationship with Saab.
“This contract supple- ments our parallel develop- ment work with Saab and we are proud to apply our capability to battery systems for Sweden’s world leading
conventional submarines. Delivery of battery systems to a new submarine class is consis- tent with our objective to be the world’s most credible designer and supplier of submarine battery systems,” Faulkner said.
Saab Australia’s Managing Director, Andy Keough said fostering partnerships with quality Australian suppliers was a key focus for Saab in both its Australian and global operations.
“Australian industry innovation helps drive our sovereign capability, so it’s great to see local defence industry businesses such as PMB, succeeding in the global market with technology designed and built here in Australia,” Keough said. “PMB has an established reputation for delivering innovative battery solutions to Australian defence, and this new contract with Saab will broaden their international reach in the supply of cutting-edge technology for the Royal Swedish Navy’s revolutionary submarines.”
COMING UP NEXT ISSUE
■ RAAF looks ahead to their 100 year anniversary
■ Unmanned technology for Navy
■ Tank and engineering vehicle
updates
■ SpaceSummithighlights
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