BAE Systems has declared that it intends to open up the supply chain for the UK’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship program, with 150 Australian companies set to pitch their products and services.

BAE Systems together with 20 of its major suppliers, including Rohde & Schwarz, Rolls-Royce, David Brown Santasalo, L-3 and Babcock, will be in Canberra to meet Australian SMEs over the next two days.

As well as having an opportunity to meet with BAE Systems and its suppliers, SMEs will hear from companies that have been successful in securing global defence contracts and learn more about what it takes to be part of a global supply chain, BAE Systems Australia stated.

“Australian SMEs have an extraordinary reputation for being innovative, agile and cost-competitive, which is why some of the world’s biggest companies are here to engage with and understand the capability that Australian companies can bring to this important program,” said Fran Murphy, director for strategy and business development at BAE Systems Australia.

“Securing work on a project the size and scale of the UK’s Type 26 to be built for the Royal Navy would position any Australian business well for future opportunities. The Global Combat Ship has been designed for export, and is currently being offered to Australia and other nations around the world.”

BAE Systems with the Type 26 is up against Fincantieri and Navantia in the race to provide the design for the Future Frigates. BAE Systems has signed a contract with the Commonwealth to further refine its design.