Naval Group has committed to a 60 per cent local build of submarines for Australia.Credit:Naval Group
Defence officials and Naval Group were on Monday night questioned by a parliamentary inquiry over concerns the biggest military project in Australia's history was not meeting its local content requirements.
Naval Group's executive vice president of the Future Submarine program,Jean-Michel Billig,said the company was committed to"maximising industry opportunity at every phase of the program".
Mr Billig said the company was now committing to give Australian firms at least 60 per cent of the multibillion-dollar contract.
“There has been recent commentary questioning Naval Group’s commitment to industry,which has been both disappointing and inaccurate,"he said.
“In the programs we have been associated with in Brazil and India,we exceeded our ambitions for local content and capability,and we are extremely confident we will do the same in Australia even though Australia is a much more demanding customer.
“Therefore,herewith,we commit to a level of Australian industry capability that will have the effect of at least 60 per cent of the Naval Group contract value spent in Australia. We are confident this can be achieved as we will build the entire fleet of the 12 submarines in Australia.
“Make no mistake,Australian suppliers will always be the first point of call and the preferred source in our procurement process."