The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Minister for Defence Materiel, formally opened Thales Australia’s new secure storage facility at the company’s Soldier Systems Development and Support Centre in Lithgow, NSW.
The new facility continues Thales’s long term investment in Lithgow, and was also realised through generous support from the NSW State Government.
It enhances the company’s ability to provide through life support for its own weapons such as the Austeyr rifle, as well as those made by third parties.
Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia’s CEO, said: “Infantry weapons are a Priority Industry Capability for Australia’s defence forces.
“The ability we have at Lithgow to manufacture, maintain and upgrade infantry weapons is a strategic national asset central to Australia’s security.
“We are continuing to invest in our soldier systems business to support and develop this capability, and evolving our business from pure manufacturing to include streamlined, costeffective support services.
“The skills and experience developed in Lithgow over many years are a vital resource, and our teams work closely with the Defence Materiel Organisation and the Australian Defence Force to ensure that Australian soldiers have the best infantry weapons and solider systems available in the world today.”
The Soldier Systems Development and Support Centre undertakes a wide variety of
activities, from in-depth R&D and design to manufacturing, procurement and through life support for a variety of Thales and third party products.