Tag / submarines

by brandsa2018

Saab boss says shipbuilding jobs are here for the long run

Defence and shipbuilding in South Australia will not be a “boom and bust” industry, but will support secure long-term jobs and opportunities.

That’s according to Andy Keough, former Defence SA chief and current managing director of defence and security company Saab Australia.

Andy, a former submariner, played a key part in lobbying for Australia’s $50 billion Future Submarines to be built here in SA.

He says despite big sectors, such as the mining industry, usually experiencing a “boom and bust” pattern, there is a long-term commitment to continue shipbuilding in SA.

“We saw it with the upswing of the mining industry which took off with unimaginable riches that have come and gone,” Andy says.

“But here there is now a Federal Government commitment to continuous shipbuilding … and that’s a massive magnet that will continue to draw high quality workers from across Australia and the world.

“There aren’t many sectors in Australia that have the assurance that their industry will continue for many decades to come.”

Saab Australia managing director Andy Keough.

The Future Submarines Program includes the construction of a fleet of 12 new subs, constructed from 2022/23 at Adelaide’s Osborne shipyards, creating 2800 jobs.

The subs are one part of the nation’s $89 billion naval shipbuilding plan, which also features the construction of the Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vehicles.

While Saab has been selected to upgrade the control systems for navy’s current fleet of Collins Class submarines, it is also supporting Lockheed Martin to deliver the cutting edge combat system capability for the Future Submarines.

After two years in the top job at government agency, Defence SA, Andy joined the Mawson Lakes-based Saab as its managing director.

He brought with him 22 years of experience in the Australian Navy, including commanding two Collins Class submarines.

Andy retired from the navy in 2007, a year after receiving the Conspicuous Service Cross for his leadership while in command of HMAS Sheean.

Originally from Sydney, he came to SA nine years ago to work for ASC, starting in business improvement before graduating to being responsible for the in-service maintenance of the Collins Class fleet.

He says that typical views of the shipbuilding workforce were changing as people realised both skilled tradespeople and high-tech engineers are essential to operations.

“When I was with ASC there was a large trade workforce, but for every tradesman there were four or five highly skilled professionals including engineers, project managers, and supply chain and quality,” he says.

The skill level of the defence industry is evident in Saab’s own workforce, which includes a range of “hardware and software engineers undertaking advanced naval combat system work”.

Ships from Task Group 659.1 (including HMA Ships Canberra, Warramunga and Ballarat and HMNZS Te Kaha) joined by French Floreal class frigate FNS Prairial transit to Pearl Harbour, Hawaii to participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016. The ships have Saab’s combat management system on board.

Andy says “business is expanding” at Saab Australia, with the company expecting to grow its workforce by at least 150 “in the next couple of years”.

Saab is also strengthening its ties to academia through a partnership with the University of South Australia (UniSA).

Saab will partner with UniSA students to collaborate on the design of a future combat system, following the formation of the Defence Technologies Institute in 2017.

The initial collaboration involved Saab hosting projects for students in STEM-related fields, helping to equip them for their careers in defence and shipbuilding industries.

“Saab is working closely with UniSA so that for generations to come, graduates from this partnership will build a skilled, technologically savvy workforce for defence capabilities,” Andy says.

“It’s essential for a company like Saab to have a close relationship with UniSA because they (students) are our talent pipeline.

“They will assist us to get the best individuals on board.”

 

This I Choose SA for Shipbuilding and Defence Industries story is made possible by City of Salisbury and the University of South Australia:

Visit the I Choose SA for Industry website to read more stories about key industry leaders, why they’ve chosen SA as a base and how the state is enabling them to succeed.

 

by brandsa2018

Lockheed Martin’s GM on SA’s shipbuilding jobs bonanza

Jack Mahoney, general manager of Lockheed Martin Australia, says South Australia’s burgeoning defence industry is luring “advanced and highly skilled” workers to carry out some of the biggest defence contracts in the country’s history.

The former US Navy combat systems technician has been in SA for more than a decade and says the high tech jobs needed for the future submarines and frigates programs are bringing world class innovation to the state.

“I think we’re definitely changing perceptions and people’s way of thinking that shipbuilding is only about banging metal,” Jack says.

“We employ very advanced, highly skilled tradespeople, all the way up to employees of a PhD level.”

“These are extremely high tech jobs.”

The nation’s $89 billion naval shipbuilding projects are providing high-tech jobs of the future within many companies, including Lockheed Martin Australia.

Lockheed Martin Australia’s SA facility is located in Mawson Lakes.

Rather than being involved in the physical build of Australia’s submarines, vessels and aircraft, Lockheed Martin Australia is a leader in the research, design, development, integration and maintenance of advanced technology systems.

Its latest announcement is yet another example of the economy-changing defence projects set to unfold (and already under way) in SA.

The company is partnering with French shipbuilder Naval Group to carry out a $700m contract to fit combat systems into Australia’s Future Submarines.

Jack says the project, set to deliver 200 jobs, the majority in SA, is already in the design phase.

Lockheed’s combat systems are the ‘brains’ of a submarine, consisting of sensors and radar technology that collects data which is then processed to control the submarine’s missiles and torpedoes.

The systems will be integrated into Australia’s fleet of 12 new submarines, constructed at Adelaide’s Osborne shipyards.

“The combat system controls all the aspects of what the ship does from a mission perspective,” Jack says.

“It can see other ships in the water and it can detect if the submarine is under potential attack.

“The project will unfold over many years (but) we are in the design phase of development and production.”

The $50 billion construction of the Future Submarines Program is one of the biggest defence contracts in Australia’s history.

It’s set to deliver more than 2800 direct and indirect jobs over the course of its lifetime, expected to run into the 2040–50s.

Aside from the future subs, Lockheed is also delivering missile defence systems for the $35 billion Future Frigates Program – a fleet of nine new vessels to replace the ANZAC class frigates.

The highly advanced Aegis Combat System can shoot down missiles from long and medium range, increasing Australia’s defence against rogue regimes.

The system will include technology by fellow defence company, Adelaide-based SAAB Australia.

Construction of the vessels is expected to take place in 2020.

Both projects, plus the construction of 12 offshore patrol vessels, come under the $89 billion National Shipbuilding Plan.

Lockheed is also providing the Royal Australian Navy with combat systems for the country’s most complex ship construction – the Air Warfare Destroyers Program.

The project, involving the build of “the world’s most capable multi-mission ships”, is being worked on by 2000 people in SA and is driving high-tech manufacturing jobs of the future.

Jack says SA’s defence industry jobs are starting to shake the misconception that its workers are only skilled in traditional trades.

He says Lockheed Martin South Australia employs 300 people, of which half are (bachelor’s) degree engineers.

“I think we have to do a better job of advertising the (high skilled nature) of the defence industry,” Jack says.

“STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and (advanced) mechanical development – all these things are going on in our state and we need to find better ways of (letting) our school kids know.

“We engage with high schools and encourage students to be involved in STEM.”

Lockheed Martin Australia general manager Jack Mahoney.

Jack, who also sits on the Defence Reserves Support Council of SA, was in the US Navy for 25 years before moving to Australia.

With SA setting itself up as the epicentre of the nation’s defence sector shortly after his arrival, it made sense for the father-of-two to call SA home.

He says the defence industry holds significant responsibility and one sole objective – to keep Australians safe.

“If you get it wrong there are severe ramifications,” Jack says.

“The number one objective is to keep people safe.

“I’ve been supporting the state for 12 plus years, I’m very proud of SA.”

I Choose SA for Shipbuilding and Defence Industries stories are made possible by City of Salisbury:

Visit the I Choose SA for Industry website to read more stories about key industry leaders, why they’ve chosen SA as a base and how the state is enabling them to succeed.