Minister for Defence Materiel and Science - Joint Strike Fighter program brings out best in Australian industry

A South Australian company has won two awards for manufacturing and business excellence as a key industry contributor to Australia’s biggest Defence project.

The Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, the Hon Mal Brough, said Levett won the 2015 Business South Australia Export Award for manufacturing, noting the majority of the company’s exports are for the global F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

In the second major achievement in two months, Head of the Australian Joint Strike Fighter Program, Air Vice-Marshal Chris Deeble awarded Levett a commendation for its leadership, drive and performance in the Joint Strike Fighter program.

Minister Brough congratulated Levett and said the Joint Strike Fighter program was allowing Australian companies to demonstrate their value in global supply chains.

“The global Joint Strike Fighter program is a tough market that drives innovation, affordability and continuous performance so companies who succeed deserve to be recognised and celebrated,” Minister Brough said.

“Levett manufactures upwards of 150 line items for the Joint Strike Fighter program, representing one of Australia’s largest multi-customer export portfolios on the Joint Strike Fighter program.

“Levett’s success is creating a supply chain in Australia, allowing smaller Australian companies to also provide products to the global aerospace industry.

“Levett has already proven a valuable contributor to the global Joint Strike Fighter supply chain by signing a lucrative agreement with lead F-35 engine contractor, Pratt and Whitney United Technologies, earlier this year.

“This long-term agreement is estimated to be worth more than US$4 million and will see Levett manufacture engine components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and supply complex machined titanium bearings, and housing supports for the F-35 engine.

“This brings Levett’s contracted value so far in the entire program to over US$10.5 million.”

To further boost capacity, Levett has earned an Australian Government New Air Combat Capability Industry Support grant to help the company prepare for a sharp increase in Joint Strike Fighter production volumes.

Minister Brough said the Government was working with Australian industry to support companies supplying Joint Strike Fighter production to be ready to take advantage of the upcoming increase in Joint Strike Fighter production rates, which is expected to triple over the coming years.

“With further business opportunities to become available in Joint Strike Fighter production and sustainment, this latest success by Levett represents a portion of over half a billion Australian dollars (US$484 million) of work secured by Australian industry in Joint Strike Fighter design and production as at July 2015,” Minister Brough said.

Media contacts:

Minister Brough’s office: 0477 395 356

Defence Media: (02) 6127 1999