BAE Systems and Marand signed a $790 million long term agreement for the supply of vertical tails for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at the Avalon Airshow on Friday, the largest and highest value Australian F-35 work package announced to date.
Victorian based Marand has worked closely with BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and the Victorian government to demonstrate its capabilities as a competitive supplier to the F-35 program. The company will be the in-country lead for the manufacture of 722 vertical tail fins, and will undertake final assembly of titanium components being machined by BAE Systems Australia in Adelaide.
“BAE Systems and Marand have worked together successfully on the F-35 for the past four years, including the last 18 months on the vertical tails,” said BAE Systems group managing director – international, Guy Griffiths. “This long term agreement will bring more work into Australia. It underscores not only our confidence in the F-35 program but also in our continuing relationship with Marand.
“I would like to emphasise our company’s commitment to developing the Australian supply chain for the F-35 program and to thank the Victorian government for its support of Marand.”
