Australia’s Department of Defense will acquire 251 Electro Optic Systems (EOS) Remote Weapon Stations that will better protect Australian Army personnel on operations while boosting Australian jobs and opportunities for small businesses. The new weapons were part of the $270 billion capability upgrade for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), under the new 2020 Force Structure Plan. The Remote Weapon Stations, which allow a gunner to operate a weaponised system from a protected position, will be added to the Army’s Bushmaster and Hawkei protected mobility vehicles.
The Federal Government is committed to ensuring Australian Defence Force personnel have the tools they need to protect themselves and keep Australians safe. At the same time they must have a robust and resilient defence industry that maximises opportunities for small businesses and supports Australian jobs and local investment. The 2020 Defence Strategic Update and the 2020 Force Structure Plan would strengthen the ADF’s capabilities to respond to an increasingly challenging strategic environment.
This investment not only secures local jobs but it also provides certainty for over 100 supply chain businesses across Australia. More than 80 per cent of the parts that Electro Optic Systems use for these weapons are sourced through the Australian supply chain and that’s good for jobs and small businesses. While the Federal Government’s focus is on keeping Australians safe, Federal Government investments in Defence have a significant benefit for Australian businesses and workers – around 15,000 businesses and 70,000 workers benefit from our investments and that’s set to grow.
Electro Optic Systems Pty Ltd (EOS) is a leading Australian technology company operating in the space and defence markets. Our products incorporate advanced electro-optic applications based on EOS core technologies in software, laser, electronics, optronics, gimbals, telescopes and beam directors, and precision mechanisms. Formed in 1983 the EOS Group of companies became a publicly-traded company on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2002. In 2005 EOS formed a strategic alliance with Northrop Grumman (USA) for the further exploitation of common technologies in the space and military sectors.