2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

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CHAPTER FOUR: THE FUTURE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE
patrol vessel projects will sustain around 1,000 jobs over the next
few years, as the Air Warfare Destroyer project winds down and the
preliminary work on these two shipbuilding projects is undertaken, before
construction work commences in 2018 for the offshore patrol vessels
and 2020 for the future frigate. Over the long term the Government’s
shipbuilding plans will guarantee around 2,500 Australian surface
shipbuilding jobs for decades to come. The Government has already
announced 500 dedicated jobs in the new submarine program for combat
system integration, design assurance and land-based testing.
4.119 The Government is committed to delivering this long-term strategy and
is prepared to invest in the skills and knowledge base of the Australian
naval shipbuilding industry to help build a strong and sustainable naval
shipbuilding industry.
SECTION TWO CAPABILITY
4.120 The Government is confident in the ability of Australian defence industry
to play its part in building a sustainable shipbuilding industry. Moving
to a continuous build program will require unprecedented reform
of the Australian naval shipbuilding industry focused on significant
improvements in productivity. This will require industry to embrace the
necessary changes and institutionalise the reforms that will lead to an
industry that is structured to operate effectively and efficiently.
4.121 France, Germany and Japan, are participating in the future submarine
Competitive Evaluation Process, which will assess their ability to
partner with Australia to deliver the future submarines. These potential
international partners have been invited to provide options for an
overseas, Australian or hybrid build program, and to seek opportunities
for Australian defence industry participation in the future submarine
Program. A decision on which international partner will be selected will
be made in 2016.
4.122 The Government will also ensure a long-term industrial capability to
deliver support to Australia’s submarines in both construction and