Building on the success of the initial agreement established in 2019, Babcock Australasia (Babcock) will expand the supply of counter-chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (C-CBRNE) asset management and solutions to the Australian Defence Force.

Since securing the contract, Babcock has grown the scope and output of the program by more than 400 per cent, addressing critical Defence capability and technology shortfalls through the supply of new C-CBRNE tools. Babcock’s C-CBRNE program delivers 132 different types of equipment in support of a tri-service capability including explosive ordnance disposal suits, remote operating vehicles and various chemical detection systems.

The strong performance in asset management has also driven significant growth in acquisitions for Defence.

“One of our most important roles as a Prime System Integrator – in addition to representing Defence’s requirements to industry – is to build Australian industry capability by advocating suppliers’ needs back to Defence. This is a key part we play in growing a resilient sovereign supply chain,” said Babcock Australasia Managing Director Mission & Support Systems Richard Udall.

A true showcase of the partnership’s success, Babcock has been listed as ‘excelled’ across all eight Defence Supplier Rating System categories, a feat that Mr Udall is very proud of.

“We have optimised resourcing on this program and recruited a highly effective team who work from a foundation of collaboration,” he said.

“Fifty per cent of our team have had past Defence experience so they understand the nuance and complexities around bespoke capability, and importantly the functional use of these C-CBRNE products, so they have been able to lean in to understand Defence’s needs.”

Under the expanded agreement, Babcock will add dozens of technologies and equipment to its existing management portfolio.

The company also confirmed that its new purpose-built facility in Adelaide will commence operations later this year to increase the capacity and availability of current equipment.

This news follows Babcock’s recent selection into the Global Supply Chain Program  – a Commonwealth initiative designed to help Australian suppliers access work in global markets, so they can diversify their revenue sources and remain viable through the peaks and troughs of domestic acquisitions.   Interested companies can register their interest to join Babcock’s Global Supply Chain Program via the Babcock website.