Mitsubishi’s first in landmark Australian defence deal

By Peter Roberts

Mitsubishi Electric has made history in a new deal with Australia’s Department of Defence, becoming the first Japanese company to sign a defence contract with a foreign government.

Not only will Australia access Japanese defence technologies, but the deal opens the way for Australian technologies to be adopted in Japan.

The federal government announced that Defence and Mitsubishi Electric Australia (MEA) signed an agreement to develop a cutting-edge laser capability for the Australian Defence Force to enhance surveillance and survivability of defence platforms.

The new capability – being developed by the Defence Science and Technology Group – is being industrialised in partnership with MEA and Japanese industry Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO).

Japanese media immediately hailed the decision as a historic Japan-Australia foreign defence deal.

assia.nikkei.com said: “Up to now, Japanese defense manufacturers have participated in developing equipment for foreign governments through Japan’s Defense Ministry.

“The Defense Ministry praised Mitsubishi Electric’s contract as a symbol of defense and technology cooperation between the countries and called for continued public-private defense cooperation.”

MELCO itself called the deal ‘a new business model for Japan, which has been promoting transfer of defense equipment and technology through public-private partnerships’.

Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro said: “This collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric Australia will enable cutting-edge laser technology developed by Australian defence scientists to be transformed into new technologies that protect our Australian Defence Force personnel.

“This will not only lift Australia’s capability, but deepen our science and technology collaboration with Japan.”

The collaboration combines over a decade of DSTG’s laser technology development with MELCO’s proven ability to commercialise and deliver electro-optic systems for defence applications.

“The agreement will enable Defence and MEA to collaborate and develop capabilities and prototypes using this technology.

“It will also create opportunities for MEA to access MELCO defence technologies of interest to the Australian Defence Force.”

The deal comes after last week’s Japan-Australia Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo, between Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles and Japanese Minister of Defense, Kihara Minoru.

Picture: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation /SUPERBIRD C2 satellite