BAE Systems Australia has been announced as the anchor tenant in Lot Fourteen’s Innovation Centre, the first new build at the innovation district.

The move will see approximately 500 BAE Systems employees located at the Lot Fourteen headquarters, positioning the company at the centre of South Australia’s defence and critical technologies sector.

It would significantly grow the company’s South Australian footprint, which includes the Osborne Naval Shipyard – the manufacturing hub for the Hunter Class Frigate Program and the future site for the construction of the SSN-AUKUS submarine fleet – and other key locations at Edinburgh Parks, Tonsley Innovation District and a training partnership with Findon Technical College.

Over the next 12 months, BAE Systems is expected to recruit 800 new employees across their operations, which extend across maritime, aerospace, cyber, autonomous systems, electronic warfare and high frequency surveillance programs.

BAE Systems Chief Executive Officer Craig Lockhart said plans to establish a head office at Lot Fourteen would be a key enabler to achieving the company’s growth ambitions.

“As we continue to grow in South Australia and find ways to enhance employee attraction and retention, it’s important we offer a workspace that inspires our teams, fosters creativity and creates spaces for our employees to thrive,” Mr Lockhart said.

“Our decision to become an anchor tenant in Lot Fourteen’s new Innovation Centre reflects our enduring commitment to a strong partnership with the South Australian Government and continuing journey for economic development and sustainability.”

As part of the announcement, plans for the new Innovation Centre at Lot Fourteen were also released under its updated master plan and development strategy. This is the first development as part of a pipeline of confirmed construction for the district.

Pictured: Lot Fourteen Innovation Centre render

The Innovation Centre will set a global pace for the growth of defence, space, critical technologies and cyber industries, with BAE Systems to join three other critical government projects tenanting the Innovation Centre. These include the $60 million Australian Defence Technologies Academy, $20 million Innovation Hub and $20 million space assembly integration and testing facility.

Read the full release.

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Hero image: Craig Lockhart CE BAE Systems Australia, Di Dixon Lot Fourteen State Project Lead, Premier Peter Malinauskas MP.