Australian Explosives and Chemical Corporation

AUKUS Forum Director, Michael Sharpe, shared his optimism for Australian industry. The largest industrial project in Australia’s history 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 #AUKUS will boost industry and research activities ✅ See the Westpac - St.George Bank Manufacturing new insights report. Australian Manufacturing: Bringing on Productivity and Profits in 2024. The report dives into opportunities, trends and challenges impacting the manufacturing industry. To read the full report, head to the website here: https://lnkd.in/g3sfFW6F Besa Deda, Matthew Kelly, Catherine Krimmer, Adam Dowling, AUKUS Forum, Nuclear Taskforce

New Zealand’s Defence Minister Hon Judith Collins KC “We are actively looking for ways in which New Zealand can participate in AUKUS’ second pillar, as discussed at the Australia-New Zealand Ministerial Consultations 2+2 meeting in early February between the foreign affairs and defence ministers of both New Zealand and Australia. Australian officials will visit New Zealand as soon as possible to discuss opportunities for New Zealand to join, and in what areas we can add value. I expect it will be in technology and space, which are both areas that offer opportunities to New Zealand businesses and scientists. We expect to take a formal decision on participation at some point this year as details emerge. We do expect that the second pillar could create potential openings for collaboration with the New Zealand’s defence industry and adjacent technology companies. Collaboration between Australia’s and New Zealand’s defence industries is something we actively encourage, and we are always looking for ways to reduce barriers.” https://lnkd.in/gm9g_fc2

Excited to deliver a speech at the free #AUKUS Critical Minerals Summit at Broken Hill hosted by the AUKUS Forum along with other speakers including former Labor Defence Minister, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon GAICD Fitzgibbon, former Liberal Minister and United States Ambassador, the The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, and AUKUS Forum Director Michael Sharpe. I will share my vision for a #sustainable future, highlight the importance of creating a #circulareconomy and how using #waste as a #resource - including various UNSW SMaRT Centre innovations - must be at the centre of future manufacturing needs UNSW Science https://lnkd.in/dfkKHwJB

Lawmakers are warning the Biden administration not to disrupt the procurement plans for the Virginia-class attack boat program, arguing doing so will hobble the #AUKUS partnership. In a letter, key Republican and Democrat lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee urged President Joe Biden to continue buying two Virginia-class submarines per year to maintain a healthy industrial base and build enough submarine capacity that the U.S. can sell boats to the Australians. The bipartisan message comes as the White House and Pentagon consider requesting only one Virginia-class submarine in the Fiscal Year 2025 defense budget, several industry and defense officials. Last year’s budget request projected the Navy buying two boars per year for the foreseeable future. https://lnkd.in/gCb-nakE

20,000 service personnel from the UK Royal Navy, the British Army, and the UK Royal Air Force will deploy across Europe to take part in Exercise Steadfast Defender 24. The exercises will see the UK’s Armed Forces join thousands of personnel from 31 NATO allies and Sweden, operating across multiple countries, coinciding with the NATO Alliance’s 75th year. The deployment will see the UK use the RAF’s most up-to-date fighter jets and surveillance aircraft, the Royal Navy’s most advanced warships and submarines, and a full range of Army’s capabilities – from logistics to armour to special operations forces. https://lnkd.in/em-N7gxt

US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced on 11 January 2024, the launch of the Vanguard an Overlord Unmanned Surface Vessel (OUSV) from the Mobile Alabama shipyard. The Vanguard is the first from the programme for future Large Uncrewed Surface Vessels (LUSV) – each within the range of 200ft-300ft in length – to be built ‘from the keel-up’ for autonomous operations, according to NAVSEA. https://lnkd.in/gKb7ZVFa

Western Australian Minister for Defence Industry Paul Papalia said the move has provided Western Australia with a voice on the national defence industry stage. “Continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia is something we have fought for since 2017,” he said. “Western Australia is now recognised as being a key contributor to the nation’s defence strategy.” https://lnkd.in/gPT6np68