A Framework Agreement that provides the legal mechanism for Australia’s participation in OCCAR defence equipment programmes came into force on 25/01/2022.
The OCCAR Director, Admiral Matteo Bisceglia stated: “The Framework Agreement with Australia highlights one of the Baden-Baden founding principles of OCCAR, namely that OCCAR programmes are open to participation by non-OCCAR Nations on fair and open terms. The Agreement also confirms the belief of Nations in OCCAR’s capacities to manage complex cooperative programmes.”
This Agreement will offer opportunities for Australia to collaborate on advanced defence technology with OCCAR’s Programme Participating States and will facilitate greater Australian defence industry integration with European-based primes.
The Australian commitment is most welcome and a clear recognition of OCCAR’s capability in managing complex cooperative armaments programmes. It strengthens OCCAR in its beliefs that cooperation at all international levels is the most appropriate road towards successfully achieving strategic objectives in the most economical way.
Australia is interested in a number of OCCAR Programmes including the Tiger Helicopter Programme, the Boxer Multi Role Armoured Vehicle Programme, and the Light Weight Torpedo Programme.
About OCCAR
OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement / Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) is an international organisation whose core-business is the through life management of cooperative defence equipment programmes.
The organisation was established by means of the OCCAR Convention which is equivalent to an international treaty.
The current OCCAR Member States are: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
It is OCCAR's vision to be a centre of excellence in its business domain. This is underpinned by the implementation of a comprehensive business management framework, comprising a Quality Management System which attained the ISO 9001:2000 certification in July 2005. In 2017, the OCCAR Quality Management System was certified against the new ISO 9001:2015 standard.
Programmes
A400M, BOXER, COBRA, ESSOR, FREMM, FSAF-PAAMS, LSS, MALE RPAS, MMCM, MMF, MUSIS, NVC, PPA, TIGER, MAST-F, and U-212NFS.
(OCCAR)