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Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula today visited Marand to meet workers manufacturing critical components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which will take to the skies at this year’s airshow.

Marand is one of a number of Victorian companies supplying the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project and has the largest value of work of any Australian supplier.

The Moorabbin-based business is manufacturing the vertical tails for the Australian aircraft, as well as for several program partner nations and is also manufacturing the engine trailer for the F-35 fleet of aircraft.

Victoria’s defence sector is an important part of our state’s economy, contributing up to $8 billion annually.

The sector employs more than 20,000 people and has more than 400 businesses making equipment and providing services for defence activities.

To support this growing industry, the Labor Government is today launching a campaign to profile the skills and capabilities of Victoria’s defence industry to help secure more supply chain opportunities for Victorian businesses.

Victorian businesses are already making a significant contribution to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project, with 65 per cent of the Australian content being sourced from Victorian defence suppliers.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the world’s most advanced military aircraft and will perform high energy, simulated combat manoeuvres at the Australian International Airshow, alongside jet fighters, strike bombers, heavy lift leviathans and attack helicopters, as well as historic aircraft and aerobatic displays.

The accompanying Aerospace & Defence Exposition is an opportunity for Victoria’s aerospace and defence sectors to showcase their capabilities to potential investors and customers across the globe.

The Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition will be held at Avalon Airport from 26 February – 3 March 2019. For more information visit airshow.com.au.