Over the past 12 months, the Defence Export Unit (DEU) has facilitated new exports of around $200 million, and are supporting additional export opportunities of over $500 million. The DEU has been successful in achieving market access for Australian companies worldwide. The unit’s primary focus is supporting Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in particular, those with products involving higher order technology capabilities and where export sales have the potential to sustain domestic research and development.

The Australian Defence Industry has proven its capability on the international stage. The highly-skilled workforce, advanced manufacturing infrastructure, a sophisticated research and development base, with a widespread culture of flexibility, innovation and collaboration are all characteristics that have added to the attraction of Australia as a reliable and value-for-money source of defence materiel.

“A strong Australian Defence Industry is an important strategic component of Australia’s Defence capability,” says Terry Whelan, Head of the DEU. “The DEU has been extremely successful in facilitating opportunities for SMEs to link into the global supply chain.”

To date, export opportunities have been facilitated through the DEU for protected mobility vehicles, armour plate, communications equipment, aerospace components, radar, specialised lighting equipment and engineering services to name just a few. “This success has improved the ability for Australian companies to be included in the global supply chains of the major Defence primes. The success of the DEU lies in part in its ability to draw together the other government departments (both Federal and State) to provide a whole of government approach to defence export,” says Mr Whelan.

Support is also provided to larger Australian companies, whose participation in a DEU sponsored export activity would contribute to the profile of that activity and consequently enhance its value or where it is likely that opportunities for prime contractors will have flow-on benefits for SMEs as subcontractors.

With ongoing challenges for Defence exporters, including foreign acquisition plans, trade constraints and resource requirements, the DEU through its worldwide network is able to promote and facilitate defence exports from Australia. The range of activities the DEU is involved in is exhaustive, but includes:

• compilation and maintenance of a database of Australian defence and defence-related products and capabilities with export potential

• collection, analysis and dissemination to industry of targeted market intelligence on international opportunities for Australian defence exports

• continuous engagement with defence industry sectors and liaison on product development, market intentions and any other relevant matters

• in conjunction with relevant government and industry elements, development of plans and campaigns for the international marketing of specific defence products

• coordination of targeted defence and defence-related industry missions based on specific export promotion campaigns and activities

• evaluation of international product exposure events such as defence exhibitions and determination of industry participation in such events

• provision of a full-service project management and coordination service under the Team Australia banner for Australian industry participation in international defence exhibitions and missions where warranted

• coordination of access to ADF assets by potential international customers, including the facilitation of inbound visits to Defence establishments, where this would assist in the promotion of integral Australian systems and components

• coordination of letters of support for particular products from Ministers, Service Chiefs or other officers/officials to their international counterparts

• arranging education and information sessions to enhance Australian defence industry’s awareness of support available from the DEU and, where applicable, how to access specific international market opportunities, and

• promulgation to relevant stakeholders of a forward program of DEU facilitated activities.

In 2009, the DEU will be holding Practitioner Workshops that are designed to raise awareness of Australian export controls and are open to industry representatives and Defence personnel involved in exporting and importing defence and strategic goods.

For more information about these workshops, or how to register, visit www.defence.gov.au/strategy/deco/default.htm

For more information about the DEU visit www.defence.gov.au/dmo/about/domains/deu.cfm