Future of Australia’s defence industry launched in Victoria
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19 February 2009
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The Australian Government today launched an $85 million Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) in Bendigo, Victoria, aimed at researching futuristic materials for the Defence industry.
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The DMTC is Australia’s first public-private partnership dedicated to developing smart materials for use in the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) next-generation ships, aircraft and combat vehicles. The Australian Government provided $30 million funding with collaborating partners contributing a further $55 million.
"The centre has made an impressive start with 16 projects up and running within six months of incorporation," Federal Minister for Defence Science, Warren Snowdon, said.
“It will drive innovation in Defence technology, focusing on research programs in air and maritime platforms, armour applications, and propulsion systems."
The DMTC is also backed by a $7 million contribution from the Victorian Government.
“Victoria has long been the centre of Australia’s defence industry with a reputation as a leader in defence innovation, science and defence manufacturing and as such is the ideal location for the Defence Materials Technology Centre,” Victorian Minister for Rural and Regional Affairs, Jacinta Allan said.
Bendigo’s Thales Australia manufacturing facility is a key defence industry partner in the DMTC project and the manufacturer of the internationally acclaimed Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle.
Ms Allan said the Bushmaster – in service with the Australian Defence Force and other nations in Afghanistan and Iraq – showed the Australia defence industry’s ability to produce and export complex defence equipment.
“This vehicle and the Bushmaster could be produced to even higher standards through the effort of the DMTC, of which Thales Australia is a core participant,’ Ms Allan said. |
