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| F-35 Lightning 2 (JSF) |
The Department of Defence today launched the New Air Combat Capability Industry Support Program providing $8.2 million to support Australian industry and research organisations involved in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program.
Defence Materiel Organisation’s Program Manager New Air Combat Capability Air Vice-Marshal Kym Osley said that by launching the grants program both the Government and Defence were fostering the development of new or improved local industry capabilities that directly support the JSF Program.
The grants program offers funding out to 2014 for:
- development of a JSF technology capability that has multiple applications (up to $1 million);
- development of a JSF industry capability that enhances a company’s competitiveness in winning work in the JSF Program, or to engage in a study that relates to a required JSF capability requirement (up to $250,000); and,
- research projects that lead to JSF industry capability enhancements or manufacturing improvements (up to $300,000).
So far nearly 30 Australian companies have won work on the JSF Program worth more than US$250 million.
Long-term agreements have also been made with a number of the JSF prime contractors and their suppliers that are expected to deliver considerably more work – potentially in the billions of dollars.
Air Vice-Marshal Osley said the prospect of Australian industry winning this work and the creation of several thousand jobs over the 20 to 30 year life of the JSF Program will be greatly enhanced by providing funding assistance under the New Air Combat Capability Industry Support Program.
The Defence Industry Policy Statement released in mid 2010 detailed plans for the grant program that was established in conjunction with Australian Government approval to buy the JSF.