![]() ![]() THE HON. GREG COMBET MP Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Thursday, 17 September 2009 065/2009 SUPPORTING AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY TO ENTER GLOBAL MARKETS The Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet, today welcomed the establishment of Raytheon Australia’s Industry Development Unit (IDU). “Raytheon’s IDU will implement the Australian Industry Capability (AIC) Deed that was signed between Defence and the company on 1 July 2009,” said Mr Combet. “This new unit will facilitate opportunities for Australian industry to become part of Raytheon’s global supply chain.” “The AIC Deed with Raytheon Australia is an important step forward for Australian defence industry, especially small and medium sized enterprises.” “The Government’s global supply chain initiative under the AIC Program uses the leverage of our major equipment acquisitions to extend the opportunities for Australian companies to access the international market place,” Mr Combet said. “Working through the international primes such as Raytheon to set up units to actively promote Australian companies will expand the capacity of Australian industry to support the Australian Defence Force. It will also benefit the international companies we deal with by improving their competitiveness. “Raytheon internationally is a leading high technology company with markets world wide, and the potential benefits for competitive Australian companies to become part of its global supply chain are enormous” Mr Combet said. Defence and Raytheon Australia will brief Australian industry on the initiative later this year. Media contact: Rod Hilton (Greg Combet) 02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619 Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664 . |