F-35 purchases a boost for Aust high-tech manufacturers

The government’s decision to purchase more F-35 joint strike fighters is a boost for Australia’s high-tech manufacturing industry, aerospace manufacturer Marand says. The company has reportedly taken over factory space vacated by Ford as it pulls out of Australia.

“Ten years ago, we’d never had an export order,” general manager Rohan Stocker told the Sydney Morning Herald. “Now we’re probably about 70% exports. This is a story of transition.”

The joint strike fighter has been the source of much of this work, SMH reported.

While the high-tech manufacturing required to build fighters such as these won’t replace Australia’s car industry, it does represent a potential new direction for Australian manufacturing.

Stocker told SMH that Australian high-tech manufacturing companies “can help turn an old-style, traditional manufacturing base into a base for the future”.

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