Innovation Internet > Sections > About DIISR > Fact Sheets > JSF Program and Australian Industry Participation Fact Sheet
 
 
 
 
 
 


(Last Reviewed :  14/08/2008 )

KEY POINTS 

  • The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a next generation defence force combat aircraft.
  • Australia is one of nine international partners in the US$300 billion global Joint Strike Fighter Program.  
  • Australia plans to purchase up to 100 aircraft for approximately A$15.5 billion, with second pass approval due in early 2009.
  • The Team Australia approach of Government and industry working together to win work under the JSF Program has proved very successful.
  • Australian industry is both winning work on the JSF Program and is also accessing other military and commercial supply chains.
  • At 30 June 2008, 25 Australian companies have secured approximately US$140 million worth of work under the Systems Development and Demonstration phase of the JSF Program.  Additionally, several Australian companies have already won work in the early production phases and are confident they will secure long term work.
  • Lockheed Martin has recognised Australia's continued involvement in the JSF Program by developing an Australian Industrial Participation Plan which identifies significant opportunities that match Australian industry capabilities.  This Plan is updated annually and the last update contained several new opportunities for Australian industry.
  • These opportunities will facilitate the continued development of Australian industry and support the integration of Australian companies into global supply chains.

FACTS AND FIGURES

The Australian and US Governments signed the Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development (PSFD) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 13 December 2006.  The PSFD MoU allows Australian industry to bid for manufacturing and sustainment work during the Program's production phase.

Australian Industry Participation

Utilising a Team Australia approach, the Department facilitates engagement between international primes and Australian industry.  This involves the early identification of possible opportunities and matching Australian capabilities to them. 

The Team Australia approach has proved very successful on the Joint Strike Fighter Program with 25 companies already securing approximately US$140 million worth of work.  Companies are also winning work on other military and commercial aerospace programs as a result of these activities. 

Lockheed Martin, along with the two engine companies, has provided the Australian Government with an updated Industrial Participation Plan (the Plan) valued at approximately US$11.5 billion. 

The Plan is predicated on a competitive 'best value' approach to procurement and identifies a number of major opportunities for Australian industry.  These opportunities include:

  • flare manufacture;
  • tooling, machining and formed parts; and
  • the manufacture of composite components (vertical tails, lower wing skins and centre fuselage components).

Australian industry is optimistic about the opportunities identified in the Plan.