The NSW Government is doing all it can to promote the State’s naval and defence industry to the world as local companies vie for billions of dollars’ worth of major Navy projects, Minister for Industry, Anthony Roberts announced today.
Speaking at the Pacific 2015 International Maritime Exposition which started today at Glebe Island, Mr Roberts said the NSW Government was aiming to introduce the State’s defence industry companies to the consortium bidding for these major contracts.
This includes the NSW Government hosting 12 companies from Sydney, the Hunter and the Illawarra-Shoalhaven at its stand.
“This is a major opportunity for NSW to promote the State’s $5 billion defence industry, which includes companies involved in combat systems, sonar, electronic warfare, systems integration, electronics and instrumentation,” Mr Roberts said.
“NSW is home to more than 80 of Australia’s defence bases and establishments and about 28 per cent of the nation’s military and civilian personnel.
“We are keen for our companies to be part of the global supply chain for major defence projects including, the Future Submarine project and the Future Frigate Replacement and the Offshore Patrol Vessels programs together worth about $89 billion.
The maritime expo is being in Sydney for the ninth time and is expected to attract about 10,000 visitors, including 50 International Heads of Navy. It is the only exhibition of its kind in the Asia Pacific.
“The NSW Government presence at Pacific 2015 underlines our commitment to work closely with industry to promote investment and export opportunities in the NSW defence sector,” Mr Roberts said.
The NSW stand includes Thomas Global Systems’ patented Sunlight Readable Display, which allows display devices to be read despite being in direct bright sunlight, being well suited to the harsh operating conditions of the naval environment.