LIFE-SAVING deployable military hospitals built in Ipswich are now ready to support Australian Defence Force personnel wherever they are needed, with the Federal Government delivering a $421 million capability that also supports dozens of local jobs.
Manufactured by Saab Australia at its Bundamba facility, the new Deployable Health Capability includes more than 550 medical modules that can be rapidly transported and assembled to provide frontline healthcare in conflict zones, humanitarian missions and disaster relief operations across Australia and overseas.
Comparable to a modern-day Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH), the capability includes three fully equipped field hospitals capable of delivering everything from primary healthcare through to emergency surgery and hospital-level treatment.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann officially announced the completion of the project at Saab Australia’s Queensland support centre in the Citiswich Business Park last week.
Mr Neumann said the project had been delivered on time and on budget while significantly strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability.
“Our people are the ADF’s greatest asset, and this initiative is all about backing our defence personnel and making sure they get all the support they need in the field,” he said.
“At the same time, this project strengthens our local manufacturing and sovereign defence industry capacity in an increasingly challenging strategic and global trade environment.”
The $421 million contract contains around 70 per cent Australian content and has created 40 full-time jobs at Saab’s Bundamba operation.
“Ipswich has always made a huge contribution to our defence effort, particularly through RAAF Base Amberley, and increasingly we are becoming a major hub for defence industry,” Mr Neumann said.
“Locally, the defence industry generates more than $1.9 billion in annual export value, accounts for more than 20 per cent of total exports and supports more than 10 per cent of local employment and associated supply chains.”
Saab Australia Managing Director Andy Keough CSC said the project showcased successful collaboration between Defence and Australian industry.
“The successful delivery of JP2060-3 has been achieved with close collaboration between our strategic partners and more than 100 local suppliers,” Mr Keough said.
“Their critical contribution has been fundamental to delivering this high-quality capability.”
