CANBERRA: Australia’s defence equipment exports reached nearly AUD1.8 billion (USD1.3 billion) in 2015, according to figures provided to IHS Jane’s by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) on 8 March.
The figures, covering approved defence equipment exports, showed an increase in licence approval values by the Defence Export Controls Branch (DECB) from AUD677 million in 2013 to AUD1.2 billion in 2014.
However, a DoD spokesperson qualified the results, adding that companies applying for a defence export licence are not required to declare the value of the goods on their applications. As a result, the actual values of the country’s defence equipment exports are likely to be higher.
Australian companies contribute to a wide range of international programmes, particularly the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Workshare participation for the JSF includes composite structures, electro-optic systems, radar system components, and ground handling support equipment.
Furthermore, Thales Australia has received international attention in its Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle. Within the reporting period, vehicles were exported to Jamaica and Japan, with further orders for the Netherlands also being placed in mid-2015. Thales Australia is also marketing its Hawkei vehicle to Poland for the country’s ‘Pegaz’ (Pegasus) multirole vehicle procurement programme.
