White Paper promises dollars but engineers needed Thursday, 25 February 2016

The Australian Government has released its Defence White Paper promising an increase in defence spending of almost $30 billion over the next decade.

Included in that funding is 12 new submarines as well as a continuous naval shipbuilding program commencing with nine future frigates and 12 offshore patrol vessels.

"This is the result of a very careful and methodical assessment of need into the future, matched with a revised force structure and that was commenced in 2014," said Defence Minister Marise Payne.

Minister Payne described the submarines as a very important capability.

"We’re in the middle of a competitive evaluation process; the final bids for that were received at the end of November last year and in due course, the Department will provide advice to Government on those bids and we’ll make a decision then," she said.

She said the Government will invest $1.6 billion over 10 years in programs to build industry skills, drive competitiveness and export potential while harnessing Australian innovation and expertise and these will generate benefits beyond the Australian defence industrial base which flow into the rest of the economy, delivering jobs and encouraging innovation for regional businesses and communities across Australia.

Engineers Australia Defence spokesperson Greg Walters said engineers are integral to effective Defence planning, procurement and operations.

“When making long-term decisions, government needs to consider the skills needed to build and maintain assets and plan accordingly,” he said.

“Engineers Australia would like to see engineering-intensive work performed in Australia, to the greatest extent possible.”

Minister Payne said the Government was committed to maximising Australian industry involvement in acquisition and sustainment but would make no commitments until the completion of the competitive evaluation process.

Greg Walters also said it was critical that Defence has sufficient engineering capability to be an informed buyer, and to be self-sufficient in the sustainment and operation of its major assets.

“The only way for that to occur is for Australian industry to be a central participant in the procurement, design and build process,” he said.

“Without the combined efforts of engineers in both Defence and industry, it will not be possible to effectively manage the operational and sustainment phases of major assets, such as our future submarines, future frigates and offshore patrol vessels. The boom/bust cycle, or ‘valley of death’, in Defence acquisition is incompatible with consistent employment and maintaining the capability required to sustain major Defence equipment in Australia.”

 

HMAS Sheean, a Collins-class submarine, during exercises near Christmas Island. Photo: Department of Defence