The Australian defence industry is poised to benefit from the expansion of the Global Supply Chain (GSC) program, which aims to enhance local companies’ integration into international supply chains.
On Monday, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy announced an increase in the number of major defence companies participating in the GSC program from seven to 13, following a comprehensive market approach. The new participants include Babcock, BAE Systems, Boeing, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Kongsberg, L3 Harris, Lockheed Martin, Moog, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Rheinmetall, SAAB, and Thales.
The expansion aligns with the Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS), which emphasizes the importance of scale, competitiveness, and sustainability in Australia’s defence industry. Conroy stated that this move would provide Australian businesses with greater access to export markets and increase opportunities for integration into the supply chains of GSC program partners.
The DIDS highlights the strategic importance of growing Australia’s defence industrial base for national security. Defence industry exports are viewed as crucial for enhancing the resilience of sovereign capabilities.
The GSC program is designed to help Australian businesses diversify their revenue, achieve economies of scale, and build resilience through exports. Since its inception, the program has facilitated 2,450 contracts worth over $1.9 billion for 258 Australian suppliers.
The government has also updated the GSC performance framework to promote the scaling and growth of Australian businesses. The revised framework aims to expand the scope of exports, identify opportunities for Australian innovation early in the development cycle, and develop metrics to measure the success of the program and its participants.
Minister Conroy expressed pride in the continuation and expansion of the GSC program, emphasizing its role in supporting Australian businesses and creating local jobs.
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