Multinationals expand in Canberra

Two multinational companies, Lockheed Martin and MBDA, have recently expanded their businesses in Canberra.

Global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin  opened their Security Intelligence Centre in Kingston in a move that highlights ours and the nation’s reputation as a highly educated workforce and robust technology industry.

The centre is the next step in Lockheed Martin’s international expansion of its cyber-defence network.

Raydon Gates, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Australia said “The establishment of this newest centre is just the next phase in our commitment to Australia’s cyber-security, technological and economic evolution”.

The Centre, which is Lockheed Martin’s fourth centre worldwide, builds on more than $10 million worth of investment in consolidating Lockheed Martin’s operations in Canberra into a single facility. It also enhances Australia’s reputation for a highly competitive information communication and technology (ICT) industry and a highly educated, highly skilled workforce. ICT spending across the country is projected to reach $63 billion in 2013, one of the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sondra Barbour, Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems and Global Solutions (IS&GS) business said: “This new Centre is an investment in technology, expertise and talent for increased innovation throughout our Lockheed Martin team".

Following its decision to make Australia the hub of its Asia-Pacific operations, missile developer MBDA  also recently opened an office in Canberra.

Andy Watson, MBDA Australia Managing Director said: “We are looking at the potential of expanding our industrial activities in Australia and this will require a network of industrial partners with whom we can work to provide through-life solutions, for certain products that we feel are highly relevant to Australia’s current and future requirements”.

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