Australia has decided to enter the next phase of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program opening up substantial new opportunities for Australian industry, Defence Minister Robert Hill and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane announced today.
Senator Hill said Australia will enter negotiations with the United States and seven other nations as part of the next phase of the US$200 billion JSF program.
"Australia’s involvement in the first phase of the JSF project has led to considerable opportunities for Australian industry to compete for work on this large global defence project," Senator Hill said.
"This has opened the door for Australian industry to now bid for the larger more lucrative contracts that make up the next phase of the JSF program.
"Defence will soon lead a Government team in negotiating Australia’s involvement in the Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development (PSFD) phase of the project.
"Defence will seek to establish appropriate cost sharing, industry participation, support and management arrangements throughout the life of the project."
Senator Hill said negotiations were expected to lead to a cooperative agreement in late 2006 with the Government to make a decision on aircraft purchases in 2008. If approved, the project will replace Australia’s F-111 and F/A-18 aircraft with the next generation JSF.
Current analysis suggests that the proposal for up to 100 Conventional Take-Off and Landing JSF aircraft, and associated support elements, remain within the original cost estimates.
The Government is committed to Australian industry participation in the JSF program. To date, 18 Australian companies have won contracts or commitments of work in the existing System Development and Demonstration phase.
Minister Macfarlane said Australia’s participation in the latest PSFD phase will generate new opportunities for further industry involvement over the life of the project.
"Australian industry has already proven it can successfully compete with the world’s best aviation companies," Minister Macfarlane said.
"This next phase opens up a whole new range of contract opportunities and companies can be confident that good performance on the recent contracts will result in follow-on work in the longer-term production phases of the JSF Program.
Australia has decided to enter the next phase of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program opening up substantial new opportunities for Australian industry, Defence Minister Robert Hill and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane announced today.
Senator Hill said Australia will enter negotiations with the United States and seven other nations as part of the next phase of the US$200 billion JSF program.
"Australia’s involvement in the first phase of the JSF project has led to considerable opportunities for Australian industry to compete for work on this large global defence project," Senator Hill said.
"This has opened the door for Australian industry to now bid for the larger more lucrative contracts that make up the next phase of the JSF program.
"Defence will soon lead a Government team in negotiating Australia’s involvement in the Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development (PSFD) phase of the project.
"Defence will seek to establish appropriate cost sharing, industry participation, support and management arrangements throughout the life of the project."
Senator Hill said negotiations were expected to lead to a cooperative agreement in late 2006 with the Government to make a decision on aircraft purchases in 2008. If approved, the project will replace Australia’s F-111 and F/A-18 aircraft with the next generation JSF.
Current analysis suggests that the proposal for up to 100 Conventional Take-Off and Landing JSF aircraft, and associated support elements, remain within the original cost estimates.
The Government is committed to Australian industry participation in the JSF program. To date, 18 Australian companies have won contracts or commitments of work in the existing System Development and Demonstration phase.
Minister Macfarlane said Australia’s participation in the latest PSFD phase will generate new opportunities for further industry involvement over the life of the project.
"Australian industry has already proven it can successfully compete with the world’s best aviation companies," Minister Macfarlane said.
"This next phase opens up a whole new range of contract opportunities and companies can be confident that good performance on the recent contracts will result in follow-on work in the longer-term production phases of the JSF Program.
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New Opportunities for Australian Industry with New Phase of JSF Program
