The Australian Minister for Defence, the Honourable Christopher Pyne, the CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense, Martin Sion, and the CEO and General delegate of Safran Pacific, Alexis de Pelleport, opened the new Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia (SEDA) facility in Botany on the 6th of November 2018.
The opening marks an important milestone in the company’s history in the region and its commitment to developing Australian Defence Industry capability.
As a result of its growth, the previous Bankstown site had become too small for Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia’s increasing industrial footprint and staffing. Safran has decided to relocate its subsidiary to a larger premises in Botany. Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia has already doubled its workforce in 2018 with even more growth expected in 2019.
The new facility will house testing and maintenance equipment to support the Australian Armed Forces and will further serve to enhance the company’s ability to rapidly respond to upcoming national and regional programs. The new facility features a state-of-the-art clean room, a laser room, climate testing systems, as well as avionics, inertial navigation and optronic test benches capable of supporting Safran Electronics & Defense’s portfolio of sensors. Specifically, the suite of equipment is also capable of servicing submarine optronic masts. The facility can also be easily expanded to keep pace with the company’s current growth path and opportunities in the Land Air and Maritime domain.
The new site is strategically positioned in close proximity to key Defence sites and Sydney Airport which will allow the company to support its customers in Australasia with greater efficiency and agility.
“In line with Safran’s strategy, the opening of this new site enables our local subsidiary Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia to expand and increase its service capabilities towards its Australian customers. The company has provided support to the French and Foreign Military Forces for more than 75 years in optical and navigation systems and we are today focused on providing the same level of support to the Australian Defence Force” said Safran Electronics & Defense Chief Executive Officer, Martin Sion.
Safran has supplied optronic and inertial navigation systems globally to more than 1,000 merchant marine and naval surface ships, as well as 70 nuclear and conventional submarines, A number of modern front-line units are equipped with Safran’s systems, including the new French Barracuda class nuclear attack submarines.
