BAE Systems Australia
Encyclopedia
BAE Systems Australia, a subsidiary of BAE Systems plc
, is the largest defence contractor in Australia. It was formed by the merger of British Aerospace Australia and GEC-Marconi Systems and expanded by the acquisitions of Armor Holdings in 2007 and Tenix Defence
in June 2008.
in the early 1950s. Weapons testing at Woomera began in 1953 by the Bristol Aeroplane Company
and the English Electric Company. Both companies merged to become the British Aircraft Corporation
(BAC). In 1977, BAC was nationalised and operations in Australia were renamed British Aerospace Australia.
British Aerospace Australia doubled in size in April 1996 with the purchase of AWA Defence Industries (AWADI). AWADI was formed in October 1988 by the merger of the defence electronics business of AWA Ltd
, Thorn EMI Electronics Australia and Fairey Australasia.
BAE Systems was formed on 30 November 1999, following the merger of British Aerospace with the General Electric Company's (GEC) defence arm, Marconi Electric Systems. BAE Systems Australia expanded with its parent company's acquisition of Armor Holdings in 2007 and doubled in size with the purchase of Tenix Defence
in June 2008.
BAE Systems Australia operates four business units. Aerospace, Land & Integrated Systems (L&IS), Maritime, and Defence Logistics.
On 22 October 2008, BAE Systems was selected to continue with the Royal Australian Navy's Guided Missile Frigate Maintenance Contract (FFG IMS). BAE Systems replaced the existing company Thales Australia on 1 January 2009. This contract is expected to run until the last Guided Missile Frigate is decommissioned in 2021.
BAE's bid for work on the Hobart class destroyers was rejected in May 2009, when the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance subcontracted 70% of construction of the destroyers to NQEA and the Forgacs Group
. However, on 29 June 2009, the work allocated to NQEA was transferred to BAE Systems Australia due to the former being unable to meet its financial obligations to the project. BAE will build a total of 36 blocks for the three destroyers at its Williamstown
shipyard. These are the hull machinery compartments, and bow and stern sections of the ships.
. the company employs approximately 6500 people Australia-wide. BAE Australia's partner charity for the year 2008-2009 campaign is The Leukaemia Foundation
. The company supports efforts by staff to raise money and awareness of their partner charity.
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
, is the largest defence contractor in Australia. It was formed by the merger of British Aerospace Australia and GEC-Marconi Systems and expanded by the acquisitions of Armor Holdings in 2007 and Tenix Defence
Tenix Defence
Tenix Defence was Australia's largest defence contractor with core capabilities in Aerospace, Land, Marine and Electronic Systems applications. BAE Systems announced its intention to acquire the company from Tenix in January 2008 and the acquisition was completed in June 2008 for A$775 million...
in June 2008.
History
BAE Systems' Australian heritage dates back to testing of the first generation air defence missile systems in Woomera, South AustraliaWoomera, South Australia
The town, or village, of Woomera is located in the south east corner of the Woomera Prohibited Area ; colloquially known as the Woomera Rocket Range...
in the early 1950s. Weapons testing at Woomera began in 1953 by the Bristol Aeroplane Company
Bristol Aeroplane Company
The Bristol Aeroplane Company, originally the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, was both one of the first and one of the most important British aviation companies, designing and manufacturing both airframes and aero engines...
and the English Electric Company. Both companies merged to become the British Aircraft Corporation
British Aircraft Corporation
The British Aircraft Corporation was a British aircraft manufacturer formed from the government-pressured merger of English Electric Aviation Ltd., Vickers-Armstrongs , the Bristol Aeroplane Company and Hunting Aircraft in 1960. Bristol, English Electric and Vickers became "parents" of BAC with...
(BAC). In 1977, BAC was nationalised and operations in Australia were renamed British Aerospace Australia.
British Aerospace Australia doubled in size in April 1996 with the purchase of AWA Defence Industries (AWADI). AWADI was formed in October 1988 by the merger of the defence electronics business of AWA Ltd
Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Limited
Amalgamated Wireless Ltd . Throughout most of the 20th century AWA was Australia's largest and most prominent electronics organisation, undertaking development, manufacture and distribution of radio, telecommunications, television and audio equipment as well as broadcasting services.After the...
, Thorn EMI Electronics Australia and Fairey Australasia.
BAE Systems was formed on 30 November 1999, following the merger of British Aerospace with the General Electric Company's (GEC) defence arm, Marconi Electric Systems. BAE Systems Australia expanded with its parent company's acquisition of Armor Holdings in 2007 and doubled in size with the purchase of Tenix Defence
Tenix Defence
Tenix Defence was Australia's largest defence contractor with core capabilities in Aerospace, Land, Marine and Electronic Systems applications. BAE Systems announced its intention to acquire the company from Tenix in January 2008 and the acquisition was completed in June 2008 for A$775 million...
in June 2008.
Products & services
BAE Systems Australia provides many products and services to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) including: Fast Jet support, Military Flight Training, Autonomous Systems, Guided Weapons (naval air defence) and Communications, Command & Support.BAE Systems Australia operates four business units. Aerospace, Land & Integrated Systems (L&IS), Maritime, and Defence Logistics.
Naval
BAE inherited the Canberra class Landing Helicopter Dock project from Tenix Defence.On 22 October 2008, BAE Systems was selected to continue with the Royal Australian Navy's Guided Missile Frigate Maintenance Contract (FFG IMS). BAE Systems replaced the existing company Thales Australia on 1 January 2009. This contract is expected to run until the last Guided Missile Frigate is decommissioned in 2021.
BAE's bid for work on the Hobart class destroyers was rejected in May 2009, when the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance subcontracted 70% of construction of the destroyers to NQEA and the Forgacs Group
Forgacs Group
Forgacs Group is a major Australian engineering and shipbuilding company. It has facilities at Newcastle, Sydney, Brisbane and Gladstone. The company employs 700 people....
. However, on 29 June 2009, the work allocated to NQEA was transferred to BAE Systems Australia due to the former being unable to meet its financial obligations to the project. BAE will build a total of 36 blocks for the three destroyers at its Williamstown
Williamstown, Victoria
Williamstown is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2006 Census, Williamstown had a population of 12,733....
shipyard. These are the hull machinery compartments, and bow and stern sections of the ships.
Corporate & community
BAE Systems Australia is headquartered at Edinburgh Parks, South AustraliaSouth Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. the company employs approximately 6500 people Australia-wide. BAE Australia's partner charity for the year 2008-2009 campaign is The Leukaemia Foundation
Leukaemia Foundation
The Leukaemia Foundation is the only Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders....
. The company supports efforts by staff to raise money and awareness of their partner charity.