The South Australian Government has further cemented its commitment to supporting local industry to benefit from the AUKUS Trilateral Partnership through the signing of an agreement with the largest shipbuilder in the United States of America (USA), HII. The Premier formalised the agreement during a tour of HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division in Virginia, USA, where the defence giant builds Virginia Class submarines. The program will connect the South Australian Government to HII's Supplier Capability Upliftment Program, enabling local suppliers to participate in the nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarine supply chain in the USA and positioning them for the SSN-AUKUS submarines to be built at ...

South Australia and the US continue to forge closer ties through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Annapolis, Maryland on 16 May 2024. The MoU, signed by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and the Governor of the State of Maryland, Wes Moore aims to enhance skills capability and workforce development ahead of the construction of the SSN-AUKUS submarines. South Australia and Maryland are both highly regarded national leaders in the defence, space and cyber industries, with mutual interest in the success of AUKUS. Maryland is home to 15of the world’s top 20 aerospace and defence companies ...

The success of the Hunter class frigate program remains firmly in focus with the announcement of a new ‘Connected Supplier’ project set to bolster shipbuilding capability. Established by BAE Systems Maritime Australia the project has enlisted six trusted SME suppliers to the Hunter class program to improve digital literacy and explore technology for better business performance. Adelaide-based MyModular, Century Engineering, MG Engineering, Novafast International, Axiom and Hobart-based CBG Systems have each been selected, undertaking  workshops, site visits, one-on-one meetings and defence and cyber security briefings at BAE Systems’ Line Zero – Factory of the Future Facility at the Tonsley Innovation ...

From 2026, Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen innovation precinct will become home to the Australian Defence Technologies Academy – a cutting-edge facility providing digital training, education and research capabilities to the defence industry, while aligning to other sectors such as space and cyber. The Academy aims to develop defence capabilities, drive sovereign research and strengthen skills in South Australia. The announcement is underpinned by a $60 million joint investment from the federal and South Australian governments. “My government is not hesitating in rapidly skilling-up the next generation to deliver the most complex machines that have been built in human history,” said South ...

Consultancy firm Coras has established a strong local presence since touching down at South Australia’s Defence and Space Landing Pad in 2022. The South Australian team which started as four employees, has now grown to six, and forms part of a broader workforce of 65 staff based in Sydney and Canberra. Described as a ‘management consultancy with a difference’, Coras’ roots in the Defence industry run deep. The company was founded in 2015 by three Navy veterans and its multi-generational workforce ranges from former veterans (40%) to young, emerging talent. When it came time to expand, Coras set its sights ...

Boeing Defence Australia has been awarded a $139.5 million contract to upgrade the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which will create a myriad of new jobs in South Australia. Fifty new highly skilled defence industry jobs including six Certificate IV aircraft maintenance engineering apprentices, 38 Certificate II aerospace workers and several supply chain trainees will soon be added to Boeing’s 283-strong workforce currently employed at the RAAF Base in Edinburgh, South Australia. These personnel currently deliver maintenance services for the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon fleet. The first P-8A aircraft entered service almost 10 years ago under an ...

The Heights Technical College in Adelaide will add aero skills specialisation to its list of key pathways for students when it first opens its doors in 2026. The announcement paves the way for students in years 10 to 12 to get to grips with the evolving demands of the defence sector, equipping them with essential workplace skills to strengthen pathways from school to employment. It will also help meet the workforce demands that are being experienced to support defence aircraft maintenance requirements. The aero skills focus addresses the pressing issue of limited vocational pathways to aero skills qualifications in South ...

Affirming its commitment to South Australia’s growing defence industry, Kongsberg Defence Australia has fast-tracked the development of its $25 million facility at Technology Park in Mawson Lakes. Originally earmarked for completion over a three-year period, an influx in demand for current and future business opportunities has seen Kongsberg and local developer Tandem Building Group doubling down to complete the 2500m2 manufacturing and office facility by June 2024. This is the first Asia-Pacific standalone facility for the local subsidiary of Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace and is located on 6000m2 of land purchased from Renewal SA in 2022 to support ...

Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Cath Roberts AO CSC has been appointed to the Defence SA Advisory Board. Ms Roberts had a decorated career of more than 40 years in the Royal Australian Air Force as an Aerospace Engineer. She joins the Defence SA Advisory Board with extensive experience and knowledge in space capability analysis, project management, governance, airworthiness and safety, contracting, diplomatic postings and networking across Defence, Government, industry and academia. Ms Roberts has had postings as Head Aerospace Systems Division, Head of Air Force Capability and was the inaugural Commander of Defence Space Command responsible for consolidating space capabilities across ...

The Australian Government has announced the selection of ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems as Australia’s Sovereign Submarine Build Partner with the build taking place at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. The announcement marks a critical step forward in the program, which represents the single biggest capability acquisition in Australia’s history. The selection of these two world-leading companies, with 95 years of combined experience, demonstrates their unrivalled capability, with ASC responsible for the build and sustainment of the existing Collins class submarines in Adelaide while BAE Systems is the UK’s long-term nuclear-powered submarine design and build partner. ASC ...

The South Australian Government and the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, signalling the start of a co-operative working agreement in strategic areas of mutual interest, which includes defence and space. The MoU was signed in Adelaide by UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Lord David Cameron and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas. It aims to facilitate commercial, cultural, educational and research, and development collaboration. Key focus areas for closer co-operation are defence workforce development and skills capability, critical technologies, creative industries and space. In addition, both jurisdictions have agreed to work together to ...