Maritime
South Australia has won and delivered some of the Royal Australian Navy’s biggest projects and is home to the nation’s premier naval industry hub, Techport Australia. It’s no wonder defence is booming in this State.
Established maritime industry
South Australia's tradition in naval shipbuilding and repair work started with WWII Corvettes built in Whyalla. More recently, the Australian Submarine Corporation (now ASC) designed, built and continues to maintain the Collins Class submarines.
South Australia's strong industry base has the competitive edge in delivering and supporting major naval platforms and systems. Many of the biggest players are already in South Australia, including:
- ASC
- BAE Systems Australia
- Raytheon Australia
- Saab Systems
- Lockheed Martin Australia
- Ultra Electronics
- Babcock Pty Ltd
- Wartsila
Our firms offer leading-edge products and services in naval ship and submarine building, systems and sustainment.
Leading-edge research and training capabilities
Located in South Australia, DSTO's Maritime Operations Division partners with industry to develop and deliver a range of advanced naval solutions. For example, BAE Systems Australia is the prime contractor for the world-leading Nulka anti-ship missile off-board decoy, originally developed by DSTO.
In alliance with government and industry, our education and training sector works to secure a long-term supply of skilled naval tradespeople and professional engineers. New initiatives in recent years include:
- Master of Marine Engineering program at the University of Adelaide
- Naval and Maritime Architecture course delivered by Flinders University and Australia Maritime College
- South Australian Defence Industry Leadership Program led by the Defence Teaming Centre
- Establishment of a dedicated Maritime High School
- Maritime Skills Centre, at Techport Australia, which is delivering trade and technical skills required for the Air Warfare Destroyer project
World-class maritime precinct
The State Government has invested over $300 million to develop Australia's premier naval industry hub, Techport Australia. This world-class precinct is now operational, supporting construction of the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyers as well as other commercial ship repair and maintenance opportunities.
Techport Australia features:
- world-class common-user shipbuilding facilities including a wharf, runway, dry berth, transfer system and the largest shiplift in the southern hemisphere
- an expansive, fully integrated industrial precinct for suppliers
- a Commercial and Education Precinct incorporating the Maritime Skills Centre, high-tech AWD Systems Centre and Raytheon Australia’s SA headquarters.
The world-class infrastructure and critical mass of warship design, systems integration and construction skills provide the perfect foundation for a long-term sustainable maritime sector. The multi-purpose facilities are available to support a range of projects concurrently, and land has been reserved for future expansion.
Major maritime projects
South Australia is home to a number of major maritime projects:
- $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer build project
- multi-billion dollar Collins Class submarine through-life support contract
- Landing Helicopter Dock mission system design, development and integration
- ANZAC ship combat system in-service support contract
- assembly of Australia's next generation submarines
