Western Australia’s maritime defence industry has been bolstered by the state government signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Babcock Australasia. The MOU will help the Cook Government in creating high paying, skilled jobs for decades at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson, as well as at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.
The dual focus of the MoU will target industry expansion as well as training and workforce development. Babcock, employs 26,000 people across the globe, with 1,700 in Australia and New Zealand, including 250 in Western Australia. The company sustains the entirety of the UK’s submarine fleet and supports the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent. Babcock manages the infrastructure at two of the UK’s three nuclear bases, HM Naval Base Devonport and HM Naval Base Clyde.
Babcock currently provides in-service support and maintenance of Australia’s Collins-class submarine fleet at Henderson and at Osborne in South Australia, as well as providing the continued sustainment of the Australian Anzac Class Frigates under the Warship Asset Management Agreement. Babcock has also recently started work as the Regional Maintenance Provider West, managing the sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy ships at Henderson.
Babcock’s work in WA is delivered through the support of 500 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and this signing will provide opportunities for even more WA based SMEs to become part of Babcock’s international supply chain. The state has supported the growth of the defence industry through grant programs, development of infrastructure at the AMC and active promotion of the WA defence industry capability globally.
Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia said, “The WA government continues to show its support and investment in the defence industry with this latest Memorandum of Understanding. Babcock is a major player on the world stage when it comes to maintaining nuclear submarines. I am confident this MOU will help place Western Australia at the forefront of the latest developments in the maritime defence industry.”
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said, “The Cook government’s memorandum of understanding with Babcock allows more certainty and opportunity for Western Australians eager to explore a diverse career in the State’s defence industry. Babcock is a top-tier submarine defence company with a global reputation and expertise across the nuclear submarine lifecycle. This deal will help our government create highly paid, professionally trained jobs to assist with the AUKUS partnership.”
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