Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has announced $1.5 billion in new spending to boost maritime and air protections.
Labor will push ahead with the purchase of a fourth Triton drone system for the Australian Defence Force, significantly boosting surveillance across the country’s maritime region as part of a $1.5 billion deal.
With capability to provide long-range, persistent surveillance capability, the Tritons are being bought from defence giant Northrop Grumman, in co-operation with the US Navy. “The upgrades to the fleet of Poseidon aircraft strengthens our ability to secure and protect Australia’s maritime interests,” Mr Conroy said.
Mr Conroy expects the decisions to lead to the creation of about 100 jobs in South Australia and 40 in the Northern Territory, part of the government’s commitment to support local defence industry.“Australian industry can expect more work and opportunities to develop a highly skilled workforce through sustaining these aircraft, helping to ensure our Defence personnel have the capabilities they need to keep Australians safe,” he said.
In 2018, the Morrison government added the first killer drones to air force capability, purchasing General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft.
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