The government has signed a $111 million sustainment contract with Raytheon Australia to support the jointly developed Raytheon-Kongsberg National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS).
This contract will support the new Short Range Ground Based Air Defence Capability, part of the Land 19 Phase 7B program.
The announcement builds on today's official opening of Raytheon Australia’s new Centre for Joint Integration in Mawson Lakes, SA, which was opened by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The Centre for Joint Integration has two main components: the Core Facility, which includes training and systems integration laboratory space and office accommodation; and the Integration Facility that includes the company’s first major production facility in Australia. This includes 6,500 square metres of light manufacturing, integration, depot repair and warehousing space. It will serve as the dedicated space to deliver Army’s short-range ground-based air defence program - Land 19 Phase 7B including assembly of components manufactured by local suppliers.
“In this facility, we will work with defence and industry in sophisticated systems integration laboratories, as well as experimentation areas and training rooms,” Raytheon Australia Managing Director Michael Ward said. “These spaces will ensure we can work with our customers and partners to deliver fully integrated sovereign capabilities and also train the workforce of the future.”
“The Centre for Joint Integration will contribute to the development of some of Australia’s most important defence capabilities,” Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said.
“It will serve as Raytheon’s main site for the manufacture, assembly and systems integration in Australia and will play a pivotal role in supporting and sustaining the new Short Range Ground Based Air Defence Capability.”
The Centre for Joint Integration will also be the primary support facility for the new air defence capability over its 20-year life. The $111 million support contract will provide the initial five years of sustainment, with an option to extend to the full 20 years.
Support activities for the new air defence capability will begin at the centre in 2022, in preparation for the NASAM’s introduction into service with Army in 2023.