A$22.6 Million Supports 80% Expansion Plan
Saab Australia announced on 9 March it has secured A$22.6 million ($16.5 million) in funding from the latest round of Canberra’s ‘Modern Manufacturing Initiative’ to expand its facility in Adelaide and set up Australia’ first ‘Sovereign Combat System Collaboration Centre’.
Other key features of the expansion are expected to include a ‘combat systems school,’ as well as production and prototyping, system integration and test facilities. All of these will be available “to facilitate and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises’ product development programmes,” said the company.
Managing Director Andy Keough pointed out that the grant will be in addition to Saab’s A$55 million investment to expand its Adelaide facility by 80% over an 18-month construction timeframe, which is set to start later this year. “The larger facilities will create over 450 long-term jobs, which include Saab employees, small and medium-sized enterprises’ employment and flow on through the industry eco-system and supporting services,” he stated.
Saab said the move forms not only a part of its commitment to the Australian defence industry, but also of its internationalisation strategy – focused on selected countries, such as Australia – to become a multi-domestic company.
Gabriel Dominguez in Singapore for MON
