Minister Paul Papalia has travelled to the United States to sell Western Australia’s world-class defence industry as part of the State Government’s Made in WA plan. Leading a defence industry delegation made up of WA businesses, Minister Papalia will meet with key US defence industry players in Alabama, Connecticut and Washington DC.
Travelling Western Australian businesses will attend the Sea Air Space Exposition in Maryland, which brings together industry leaders and top military decision-makers from around the world to share the latest in technology and innovation. The expo provides the opportunity to showcase WA’s defence strengths on the global stage and for small-to-medium-enterprises (SMEs) to meet face-to-face with industry heavyweights.
Defence is set to become WA’s second largest industry after mining, with tens of billions of dollars being invested by the Federal Government to create the Henderson Defence Precinct, enhance facilities at HMAS Stirling, establish nuclear-powered submarine sustainment, and deliver continuous shipbuilding. Not only will the State become home to the biggest naval maintenance hub in the southern hemisphere as part of AUKUS, but local defence businesses could also play a role in fast tracking the construction of nuclear-powered submarines in the US.
WA businesses already manufacture vital parts of Australian submarines on home soil, and it’s hoped by building links with the US industry, they will become part of the Virginia-class supply chain. The Made in WA plan aims to take the State forward by restoring WA’s manufacturing capability. WA’s defence industry is a key part of this plan and will help diversify the State’s economy and create generations of jobs as the population grows.
Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia said: “WA’s defence industry has the potential to strengthen Australia’s relationship with the US through its world-class workforces. Our local businesses can help fast track the construction of Virgina-class submarines – that’s good for us and our AUKUS partners. The purpose of this mission is to showcase our defence strengths on the global stage and build relationships to help our businesses enter the Virginia-class supply chain in the US.”
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Why, instead of courting the U.S. we should be moving as far away from them as quickly as we can. Having said that I suppose they have to do something, considering the CASG won’t even look at anything that isn’t made in the U.S.A. Or at least by a U.S. Prime .
Hi Michael ….can you please explain why “we should be moving as far away from them as quickly as we can”? Just interested in the reason you feel that way?…educate me!
I can supply part of the answer because I feel the same way. The US is no longer a reliable ally – and cutting off military supplies, including vital spare parts, and intelligence to Ukraine is proof of that. If the US can cut off Ukraine at a whim they can do it to anyone, including Australia.
Hi Kym…so who should we be friends with because our military won’t be able to protect us from anyone?
As many regional partners as we can find (and who we have been ignoring for ages). South Korea and Japan are at the top of my list. We already have a relationship with Singapore via the FPDA. To be clear, I’m not talking about kicking the US out of Australia or anything like that. Hopefully, they will remain a security partner indefinitely. I’m talking about lowering our dependency on the US by beefing up our own capabilities and diversifying sources of equipment.
Hi Kym…so who should we be friends with considering our military isn’t sufficient to protect us from anyone?
Hi Clay. The reason we should be moving away from reliance on the U.S. Industry Defence is that. Most, if not all , of the equipment we purchase from the U.S. is manufactured in the U.S. The U.S. Defence Industry is struggling to meet the demands of it’s own military and the requirements of it’s other customers which results in having in long Lead Times. Having such long time frames between ordering and receiving Equipment is not ideal , had successive Governments not squandered time Umming and Arring over defence it might not be as critical but now it is. As an example it has taken over two years to get two HIMARS. In the around the same time Hanwha delivered two AS9 and an AS10 plus built the Factory to build them even given the difference in technology that’s a big difference. Other Countries also allow Technology Transfer and Build in Australia options which the U.S. won’t. ( ignore AUKUS it’s never going to happen) Nobody is suggesting severing all ties with the U.S. but depending solely on one supplier especially one with long fragile supply lines is not a good policy. I refrain from delving into the political instability in the U.S. at the moment but it also should be considered.
Hi Clay. I did reply but it seems I don’t see it posted so if this is a repeat, accept my apologies. My comment about moving away from the U.S. was directed at U.S. Defence Industry. Not the Alliance , U.S. Defence industry is the ADFs primary supplier. I don’t believe this is a good thing, as well as what Mr Bergman has written, all things I agree with, the problem lies in the fact that most,if not all Equipment is made in the U.S. and not here. In a conflict attrition rates would be impossible to resupply. Without the capability to replace our own equipment ourselves Leaves Australia vulnerable to both the attacker and the supplier. Long Lead times and such make it difficult to re equip and competition for equipment you need from other buyers make it critical Australia diversify it suppliers with precedence given to manufacturers that will Allow Technology Transfer And Build in Australia. As an example. It took over two year for the U.S. to deliver two HIMARS, in around the same time Hanwha supplied two AS9s and an AS10 and built a factory in Australia where we will build them ourselves . Rhinemetal Built a factory to make Boxer CRV and that factory ships panels to Germany for them to build more. The U.S. Industry doesn’t do any of that. For that reason we should be moving away from U.S. suppliers.
This is some high level ignorance of current affairs, smh
Good answer Kym ….but that’s a bit different to moving as far away as possible as quickly as possible from the US like Michael said.
thanks for your answer! cheers
Not because of hard head dictator that runs USA. Now we have to abandon relationships with USA , if there’s a conflict in our region who is going to come to our aid , let’s not forget we need America more then it needs us , we’re like a child in the bush with no protection without USA.
MICHAEL
With friends like Donald Trump, who needs enemies.
Everyone is panicking about moving away from the U.S. apart from the fact my statement was directed at U.S. Defence equipment, not ANZUS or any other Alliance. Every comment so far seems to think our Defence Force can’t work without U.S. backing… absolute Bullshit. Australia’s Defence Force is in a pretty mess at the moment but reliance on any other Country to come to our aid in a crisis is what got them into the mess in the first place. Australia needs to get moving on doing it ourself, Alliances are important and having one of the biggest kids on the block on your side is great but isn’t it better to have a back up plan if your big friend is busy elsewhere. Australia doesn’t need to be able to Win a War with anyone we only need to be able to give any Attacker pause to consider what it will cost them to do it. By all means stay with the Alliance but diversify our Suppliers and give preference to ones that will build here and allow us to build them .
Given the great comments on this subject, surely this is now the time Australia under license from countries around the world start producing military equipment themselves. Insofar as missiles went this was promoted under the previous Coalition Government however not taken up until much later by the current Government.
This may be the way to go. We are certainly capable in this department.