CANBERRA – 2 May 2009: The Managing Director of one of Australia’s leading defence companies today welcomed the release of the Australian Government’s Defence White Paper as providing greater certainty for the country’s defence industry.

Raytheon Australia Managing Director, Mr Ron Fisher, said “the defence industry provides vital capability for the Australian Defence Force and is an important source of jobs in many local communities. The White Paper’s release will help to provide much needed certainty for the defence industry and the many thousands of Australians employed in the sector.” 

“We commend the Government and the Defence White Paper Team, led by Mr Michael Pezzullo, on the thorough process undertaken over the past year that has culminated in the release of this Defence White Paper.”

Mr Fisher said “We want to particularly commend the Prime Minister and Minister for Defence for their desire and support to grow an innovative and capable indigenous Australian defence industry and we acknowledge the important contribution of the Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation, Dr Stephen Gumley.

“Equally important has been the Rudd Government’s commitment to maintaining real growth in the defence budget to ensure that the capability requirements contained in the White Paper can be achieved. The Government should be commended for this commitment. 

“Raytheon’s work on the Air Warfare Destroyer and Collins Class Submarine positions us well for the new capabilities foreshadowed in the White Paper including Australia’s future submarine and frigate replacement programs. 

“As Australia’s leading capability systems integrator we are also pleased that the White Paper has emphasised the importance of a properly integrated and co-ordinated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for Australia and we look forward to assisting the Commonwealth achieve its goals in this area.

“We also look forward to the release of a detailed Defence Capability Plan that will provide industry with further information on capability requirements.”

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With facilities located across the country, Raytheon Australia is a highly capable prime contractor  with an engineering and technical workforce of 1300 backed by world-class management and quality systems. This local presence is bolstered by strong relationships with small and medium sized enterprises and access to the global resources of Raytheon Company. 

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defence, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Contact
Raytheon Australia
Gerry Wheeler
+61 439 501 327
gerard.wheeler@raytheon.com.au