Leading European defence company MBDA has joined the growing list of defence companies taking up residence in South Australia’s Lot Fourteen innovation district.

The company will establish a new Australian office at the Defence and Space Landing Pad, a one-stop-shop that supports the relocation of international companies to South Australia.

A world-leader in the field of guided weapons and missile systems, MBDA has a long history of involvement in Australian defence projects, having supported the Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) program for the Royal Australian Air Force.

MBDA Group Business Development Director Paul Mead said the company’s South Australian presence will act as a focal point for MBDA’s engagement with Australian industry in support of the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise for Defence.

“This new local presence in South Australia is an exciting step for MBDA supporting the growth and sustainment of Australia’s GWEO industrial capability,” Mr Mead said.

“We look forward to engagement across Australian government and industry on co-development of future weapon systems, and delivery of increased sovereign capability, manufacture and support of guided weapons.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Defence and Space Industries Susan Close, welcomed the capability MBDA would add to South Australia’s defence ecosystem.

“South Australia is leading the way in strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities, home to more than 300 defence companies, world-class defence infrastructure and a research community working at the cutting-edge,” Minister Close said.

“The welcome addition of MBDA to our growing defence ecosystem will build on the strong record of collaboration and innovation that our state is renowned for.”

MBDA joins a high calibre list of companies that have accessed the Defence and Space Landing Pad, that includes L3 Harris, Bureau Veritas and Saber Astronautics.

Image caption L-R: Defence SA Advisory Board Acting Chair Vice Admiral Russell Crane AO CSM RAN (Ret’d), MBDA Group Business Development Director Paul Mead, Deputy Premier of South Australia and Minister for Defence and Space Industries Susan Close and Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price.