3 October 2024
Helen ClarkeSophie DawsonKeith RobinsonEmily LauViva SwordsLydia Cowan-Dillon
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With the announcement of AUKUS, Australia's defence landscape is fast developing. Decades of experience in defence sector transactions, projects and related issues, has seen JWS act for established global primes, new global primes entering the Australian market and major subcontractors to primes – across sea, air and land domains.
Trusted and longstanding defence sector specialists, our Canberra, Adelaide and Perth teams have an unmatched résumé focusing on national security related transactions and have worked on defence, technology and infrastructure projects for government and industry participants.
Offering our clients unique insights into government policy, government engagement and 'getting the deal done', our experience, having historically acted for government, has now extended into exclusively acting for industry participants. When working with us, you can be assured you are engaging a team that understands the defence sector.
Work highlights
Australian Defence Industries
Sale of ADI Limited, including presale restructuring of ADI's contracts for the supply of munitions, propellants and explosives, the removal of property interests and the renegotiation of the Garden Island lease and the restructuring of debt and guarantee facilities.
ASC (BAE Systems Australia)
Strategic and governance review, including for all of ASC's significant contracts, including ABTIA contract advice regarding the alliance structure for the air warfare destroyers in relation to various specific issues; and on a substantial revision of ASC's working relationship with the designer for the air warfare destroyer program.
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
Supply of naval strike missiles and ground-based air defence missiles.
Fr. Luerssen Werft
A$2.4 billion acquisition and sustainment contracts for the Offshore Patrol Vessels, including site access, workforce/OHS and related matters.
Kockums AB (now part of the Saab Group)
Negotiation of a licence to the Commonwealth Government (Defence Department) of Kockums copyright works and confidential information in relation to the Collins Class submarines. We also advised in relation to arrangements with the Australian Submarine Corporation and with Electric Boat Corporation.
Boeing Defence Australia
Dispute with the Australian Commonwealth Government in relation to the A$340 million project for a new defence communications system for the Australian Defence Force; dispute with Commonwealth Government and Israeli subcontractor on a aerospace defence project for the development of a new unmanned aerial vehicle for the Australian Defence Force; and a dispute with the Commonwealth Government in relation to the Vigilare aerospace defence project for the development of an integrated battlespace management system for the Australian Defence Force.