News Release
Defence and GKN Westland Helicopters Enter a New Era of Investment Recognition Australia's Defence Acquisition Organisation (DAO) and GKN Westland Helicopters Ltd today signed the second Deed of Agreement under the Government's new Defence Industry Investment Recognition (DIIREC) Scheme. The scheme is an important Defence initiative under the Defence and Industry Strategic Policy Statement released last year. It provides recognition to overseas companies that invest in Australian industry to develop and sustain Australian defence capability. DAO's Head of Industry and Procurement Infrastructure, Dr Graham Kearns, welcomed GKN Westland's commitment to Australian defence industry. He looked forward to continuing a relationship that spans decades of aircraft acquisition and support. “I am particularly pleased that the deed has come out of work previously done under a Defence project,” Dr Kearns said. “It is good to see hi-tech companies like GKN Westland and MINCOM developing a collaborative industry strategy with a DIIREC focus.” The project under the new agreement builds on the successful collaboration between GKN Westland and leading Australian software company MINCOM Ltd, which developed electronic maintenance documentation technology, LinkOne. LinkOne has already achieved significant success in Australia and overseas. Under the partnership, GKN Westland will be marketing LinkOne into the international aerospace industry, with a particular focus on Europe. Nick Ruddock, Executive General Manager LinkOne, MINCOM Ltd, said: “The partnership with GKN Westland has made a substantial contribution to the success of the product, particularly in Europe.” Having recently completed the successful Sea King Life of Type Extension (LOTE) program, GKN Westland is a strong proponent of Defence Industry Program initiatives. Des Hassan, Regional Business Director at GKN Westland, said the company is keen to continue development of technology-based enhancements which will deliver real and measurable improvements to the productive capability and capacity of Australian industry. GKN Westland is the first UK-based company to sign such an agreement with Defence. Its Head of International Trade and Development, Bryan Robins, thanked the Commonwealth for its reciprocal commitment to sustainable industry policies, noting that the agreement underscored long-term commitment to the Australian Defence Force, balanced by the provision of technically superior aviation support. The DIIREC Scheme provides overseas companies with the opportunity to gain formal recognition for investments in Australian industry which will be accepted as a measure of confidence in source selection for any future relevant capital acquisition and logistics contracts. Further information: Defence Acquisition Organisation Peter Sidman GKN Westland Helicopters Ltd Chris Loney Photos of the contract signing will be available electronically from Phil Mayne, DAO Policy Communication, on +61 2 6266 7324, email phil.mayne@cbr.defence.gov.au Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600 |