Some of Tasmania’s biggest maritime organisations are busy targeting lucrative government defence contracts at an international marine and naval expo in Sydney.
The Australian Maritime College, CBG Systems, Hensoldt, Sentinel Boats, Pivot Maritime International, Taylor Bros and Lightning Protection International all make up the Tasmanian delegation that is trying to sell itself to senior representatives from governments, navies and industries worldwide.
Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries Madeleine Ogilvie said the Indo Pacific Expo was home to the best maritime defence equipment, technology and services available today.
“We know Tasmanian companies produce some of the best defence and maritime products and technologies in the world and that is increasingly being noticed,” Ogilvie said.
“By putting these amazing Tasmanian products directly in the hands of senior decision makers and buyers we are opening the door to even more high-value supply contracts and further boosting the reputation of our local industry.”
Over the past four years, Tasmanian companies have secured over $160 million in defence-related contracts – a number Ogilvie hoped would continue to increase.
In 2019, PFG Group brought their new Sentinel Defence boat to Indo Pacific looking for buyers and now, four years later, the newest Sentinel on display is on its way to New Zealand, with additional defence orders already in progress.
“It shows the real opportunities for real sales that being part of the Tasmanian defence delegation can achieve,” Ogilvie said.
“With more than 25,000 representatives and 115 official defence, industry, academic and government delegations attending Indo Pacific from 40 nations, there are huge opportunities for more deals to be locked-in.”
“This is the fourth time we have assembled a Tasmanian delegation to showcase our Tasmanian quality and innovation on this international stage, an effort that is estimated to have made more than 100 new business connections for Tasmanian businesses.”
