Good signs for defence work

PROMISING signals for other defence contracts for the Far North’s commercial sector are on the radar.

Last year a Cairns’ consortium lost a $2 billion bid to build new Australian patrol boats, but we were left with the spoils of about $100 million of repair and service work.

In our newspaper on pages 8-9 today there are reports of other significant defence opportunities for our economy.

Luerssen is one of three shortlisted tenderers for the $3 billion Royal Australian Navy’s SEA1180 Phase 1 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) project.

A representative of the German shipbuilding giant says if it is selected for the lucrative contract, there are subcontracting possibilities for the city’s maritime sector.

The company says it is impressed by the level of interest from the sector in forming partnerships with the company.

Furthermore, a Redlynch business that invented a wheel safety device used in fleets across the globe, could benefit from another multibilliondollar defence contract.

Redcat Industries supplies Rheinmetall Defence Australia, a company bidding for a $5 billion new armoured vehicles’ contract.

Redcat says there is a possibility of opening a factory in Cairns plus hiring more sales and other staff.

Austal, which is involved in new patrol boat builds, has just opened an office in Cairns with 30 staff.

Now the Turnbull government must deliver the $24 million marine precinct promised more than a year ago.

As well, Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch’s push for a 3000-tonne synchrolift, costing $150 million$200 million, must become a reality.