The Western Australian government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Babcock Australasia, focused on industry expansion and workforce development.
The MoU will help the government in creating high paying, skilled jobs for decades at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson, as well as at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.
“The WA Government continues to show its support and investment in the defence industry with this latest Memorandum of Understanding," said Paul Papalia, Defence Industry Minister.
“I am confident this MoU will help place Western Australia at the forefront of the latest developments in the maritime defence industry.”
Babcock employs 1700 people in Australia and New Zealand, including 250 in Western Australia, as the Regional Maintenance Provider West.
The company currently provides maintenance of Australia’s Collins-class submarine fleet, as well as providing sustainment of the Anzac Class Frigates under the Warship Asset Management Agreement.
“Babcock is a top-tier submarine defence company with a global reputation and expertise across the nuclear submarine lifecycle," said Simone McGurk, Training and Workforce Development Minister.
“This deal will help our government create highly paid, professionally trained jobs to assist with the AUKUS partnership.”
Babcock’s work in WA is delivered through the support of 500 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and this signing will provide opportunities for more to become part of the supply chain.
"Babcock is proud to partner with the West Australian Government to support ongoing and future opportunities for the Defence industry in the West," said Andrew Cridland, Babcock Australasia CEO.
"Collaborations like Babcock’s and the Western Australian Government’s is the only way the nation will be able to deliver our Defence agenda, including the ambitious AUKUS endeavour and exciting future shipbuilding opportunities."