Lockheed Martin Australia Awards GWEO Contract to Marand: A Strategic Partnership
Credit: Marand
Lockheed Martin Australia has bestowed a significant contract upon Marand Precision Engineering Pty Ltd, further cementing their long-standing collaboration. This partnership marks a notable milestone in addressing the national objectives under the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, a critical endeavor for the Australian Government.
Under the terms of this pivotal contract, Marand is entrusted to mobilize its Australian industry supply chain to support the delivery of work crucial to the GWEO Enterprise. The scope of the collaboration encompasses an in-depth assessment of the economic challenges associated with sourcing raw materials, thereby contributing to the foundation for establishing a guided weapons production capability within Australia.
Ken Kota, Vice President International Integration at Lockheed Martin, underscored the strategic significance of this partnership, stating, “This is an important body of work in our ongoing commitment to delivering the Australian Government’s objectives under the GWEO Enterprise. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with experienced Australian companies like Marand as we continue the work to establish a guided weapons production capability in Australia.”
Marand, renowned as a global supplier of precision engineered solutions across diverse industries such as aerospace, defence, rail, automotive, mining, and energy, brings to the table a wealth of expertise and capabilities vital for the success of this venture. Lockheed Martin, in turn, anticipates that this partnership will not only provide invaluable insights into the impact of current raw material pricing on the competitiveness of the domestic Defence industry upstream suppliers but also contribute to the broader mission of bolstering Australia’s self-reliance.
Rohan Stocker, Group Chief Executive Officer of Marand, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the extensive history of partnership with Lockheed Martin: “Lockheed Martin have been a valued customer of Marand’s for over 20 years and it’s a privilege to continue our partnership with this initial GWEO contract. We are excited about using our expertise to assist Lockheed and the Commonwealth deliver this critical capability.”
In line with the contract, Marand is tasked with conducting a comprehensive assessment to identify and establish a material supplier listing, in addition to providing essential administrative support and technical advice. The ultimate objectives encompass the proposal of a list of preferred Defence industry forum participants for Commonwealth consideration, as well as furnishing critical insights for a Lockheed Martin report on recommended options for the path forward for the Commonwealth.
Ken Kota affirmed, “Working with our industry partners, we are aiming to build a more advanced, resilient and collaborative industry that will deliver capabilities faster and more affordably to our customers.” The strategic collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Marand stands as a testament to the vital role of strong partnerships across governments, defence, industry, and academia, crucial for the success of the GWEO Enterprise.
Original article: https://marand.com.au/lockheed-martin-australia-award-gweo-contract-to-marand/
