South Australian defence companies forging new partnerships at Euronaval 2018.

A number of South Australian defence companies are celebrating the forging of new partnerships with key international companies to collaborate on major shipbuilding projects at Euronaval 2018, 23-26 October.

Four recent agreements between South Australian defence businesses and European companies to work together on upcoming naval shipbuilding projects are being officially recognised on the Defence SA stand, under the Team Defence Australia umbrella, during the event.

On Tuesday, South Australian advanced manufacturing company Redarc Electronics and local manufacturer Rowlands Metalworks celebrated a Memorandum of Understanding that was previously signed with German naval C2 and navigation system integrator Raytheon Anschütz to partner for future Australian naval projects, including the Hunter class Future Frigates.

On the same day, ASC officially signed a collaboration agreement with French company Endel Engine – a long-term partner of Naval Group France – to create joint business opportunities on the Future Submarine program. ASC also signed a collaboration agreement with France’s Groupe FIVA – a global engineering consultancy which has established a presence in South Australia – to facilitate the effective delivery and support to current and future naval programs of work in both Australia and France.

On Wednesday, South Australian-based company SAGE Automation and Spanish company Detegasa celebrated a major commercial and industrial partnership agreement together. The contract – signed just weeks ago – will see SAGE expand its through-life-support capabilities for the Royal Australian Navy surface ship by providing in-country support for Detegasa equipment on-board LHD, DDG and future AOR vessels and opens opportunities to manufacture equipment in Australia for future programs, including the Hunter class Future Frigates.

“We see this agreement and partnership with Detegasa as a game changer for our TLS delivery. We very much look forward to working with Detegasa to bring value to the Defence support managing contractors and Navy assets” SAGE general manager for Defence Paul Johnson said.

Groupe FIVA formally announced its acquisition of Cadgile, the largest independent CAD drafting specialist in South Australia. Together FIVA and Cadgile will develop state-of-the-art engineering services for the defence, energy and environment sectors in Australia. Defence SA chief executive Richard Price said it was encouraging to see South Australian businesses collaborating with international companies, which will ensure local companies benefit from major shipbuilding projects.

“Congratulations to all the South Australian companies that have recently entered into collaboration agreements with international defence partners to work together on major defence and naval shipbuilding projects,” he said.

“It’s great to see South Australian defence companies taking a proactive approach to forming strategic partnerships with international defence companies.

“Many of these relationships were first forged during previous business missions and trade shows, strengthened over time, and will likely result in years of supply chain work for our local companies.

“We look forward to welcoming many more collaborations of this nature in the coming years.”