Growth Markets for Defence in India and South East Asia
Austrade media release
17 November 2010
Rising security threats and strong economic growth are creating new opportunities for Australian defence suppliers in the fast-growing regions of South East Asia and India, according to leading industry analysts.
A series of capital city seminars explaining the opportunities for Australian defence and security suppliers begins today in Sydney and will then move on to Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide before finishing in Perth.
Hosted by Austrade, the seminars will feature speakers from the private defence and security sector, including one of India’s leading defence procurement specialists, Col. K.V.Kuber, the head of defence initiatives at Aviotech Pvt Ltd.
Austrade’s Business Development Manager for the Defence and Security sector in New Delhi, Harsh Puri, said India was creating a large and sophisticated defence force which would offer significant business opportunities for suppliers from Australia.
“India’s economy recorded growth of almost 7 per cent in 2009-10, and India’s defence budget is forecast to be the third largest in the world over the years 2010-2018,” Mr Puri said.
“By 2013, India’s defence spending is expected to reach A$51 billion and procurement opportunities are expected to exceed A$100 billion by 2022,” he said.
Mr Puri also pointed out the terrorist threat in India would lead to more spending on homeland security, which was expected to reach US$9.7 billion in 2016, including about US$1 billion for maritime security as India doubled its sea port capacity and expanded its Coast Guard.
“Colonel Kuber is an ideal speaker for anyone wanting to understand the Indian defence and security market. His long experience in the Indian armed forces, including as the director of capital acquisition programs, and his work in the corporate sector, make him a valuable part of the seminar series.”
Austrade’s Trade Commissioner in Singapore, Elodie Journet, said a similar pattern of increased defence and security spending was also evident across South East Asia, where the global financial crisis had had little impact on defence budgets and where regional forces were pushing ahead with modernisation programs.
In 2010, total defence and security spending for Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam was expected to reach A$36.6 billion.
Ms Journet said this spending was being driven by new capital acquisitions, including advanced platforms, and new training programs.
“The breadth of the market opportunities in India and South East Asia should make suppliers sit up and take notice,” Ms Journet said.
They include demand for mobile communications, electronic surveillance, radar, underwater acoustics technology, biometric systems, body scanners, as well as mobile security technologies, security training and construction and repair services.
The Austrade seminars will examine individual market opportunities, offer advice from Austrade’s defence and security specialists, and present case studies of Australian companies which have succeeded in both regions.
Seminar dates and venues
17 Nov 2010 - Sydney, Radisson Hotel Sydney, 72 Liverpool Street, Darling Harbour
18 Nov 2010 - Canberra, Novotel Canberra, 65 Northbourne Avenue
23 Nov 2010 - Melbourne, Oaks on Market, 60 Market Street
25 Nov 2010 - Adelaide, BioSA Incubator Conference Centre, 40-46 West Thebarton Road
26 Nov 2010 - Perth Duxton Hotel, 1 St Georges Terrace
Time: 8:30am Registration
9:00am - 1:00pm Seminar
Seminar case study speakers
Sydney: Jason Shepherd, Southeast Asia Manager, Northrop Consulting Engineers
Jason Shepherd is a range services designer and project manager with more than 15 years’ experience in Australasia, South East Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Jason also leads Northrop’s international business development in the fields of Environmental and Range Services.
Canberra: Peter Lilley, CEO, Stratsec.net Pty Ltd
Stratsec is one of the leading providers of independent information security consulting and testing services in Australia and the South East Asian region. It is the largest specialist provider of independent information security consulting services in the region, and has provided services in over 20 countries.
Melbourne: John Dubois, CEO, Senetas Corporation Ltd
Senetas Corporation (ASX:SEN) has been listed on the Australian Stock Exchange since 1999. It employs more than 80 people and is focused on information security and business performance enhancement. Senetas designs and manufactures enterprise network security devices, including the world’s only dual-accredited Layer 2 hardware encryption devices to guarantee information security.
Adelaide and Perth: Ron Anderson, Managing Director - Singapore, Strategic Marine Pty Ltd
Strategic Marine is a Western Australian-owned international shipbuilding company which has consolidated its position as a global shipbuilder, with established shipyards in Western Australia, Singapore, Vietnam and Mexico.
ENDS
Media contact
Media Interviews: Elodie Journet, Austrade Trade Commissioner, Singapore, on +61 400 596 022 or contact Austrade Media in Sydney on +61 02 9392 2057