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Saab Global

Enhancing Australia’s Sovereign Industrial Base

2 min read

Saab Australia is committed to supporting Australian industry, as true sovereign capability strengthens our nations protection, both now and in the future.

For the past 33 years, Saab has supported the growth of Australian suppliers and today, we now work with in excess of 500 local companies in our supply chain. We have a clear policy of working with local, indigenous and veteran-owned suppliers and subcontractors, and are always looking for opportunities to create new connections with local businesses who have products and capabilities that support our programmes and bids across the defence and security domains.

“Australian industry capability is not just about awarding contracts to Australian companies, but in supporting their development and the establishment of an enduring Australian sovereign industrial base.” – Andy Keough, Saab Australia Managing Director.

Enhancing Australia’s sovereign industrial base allows for rapid modification, update and customisation of advanced technology to meet the Australian Defence doctrine, needs and preferences – ultimately, allowing Australia to act in the best interests of its people, country and assets. Building this industrial base within Australia also opens up export opportunities for Australian businesses to share their expertise in advanced defence technologies to allied partners and gain assistance entering our global supply chain.

Saab is passionate about leading the discussion on how to further enhance Australia’s industry capability. As a principle partner of Defence Connect’s Australian Industry Capability Summit next week, Saab will help guide the discussion about the costs, complexities and the challenges that local businesses face when trying to succeed in the defence supply chain.

The summit provides a forum for the Commonwealth, primes and SMEs to collaborate on the processes and opportunities within the Australian Government’s $270 billion defence investment.

Leading Australian Industry Capability at Saab is David Ledger, Head of Industry Engagement and Strategic Events. With over 40 years of defence domain experience, a strong knowledge of Saab’s global operations and the local industry landscape, David is well equipped to lead Saab Australia’s industry engagement strategy.

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David, is a panellist at Defence Connect’s AIC Summit and will discuss supply chain obstacles and success stories of Australian businesses operating in the defence industry.

“Working together, we can maximise the exciting opportunities for further collaboration between the Commonwealth, defence primes and local industry and we can ensure the delivery of highly complex, innovative and advanced capability in Australia, to our defence force for the protection of our nation and its future.” – David Ledger, Head of Industry Engagement and Strategic Events at Saab Australia.

Want to know more? Register for the livestream of Defence Connect’s AIC Summit.