Raytheon Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company, one of the largest defence companies in the United States with annual sales of US$23 billion, a global workforce of 73,000 people and a history that stretches over 80 years.
Raytheon has had a strong relationship with the Australian Defence Force since the early 1950’s supplying sensors and weapon systems. However, for many years the company’s presence was limited to a country manager and supporting administrative staff.
As Australian Government defence policy matured to foster and grow an indigenous defence industry, Raytheon Company responded by investing in Australia and establishing a landed company, Raytheon Australia.
When Raytheon Australia was established in 1999 it ranked as the country’s 27th largest defence contractor. A decade later, it had grown to become the third largest defence company in the Australian market.
From a handful of staff a decade ago, Raytheon Australia has grown to over 1300 people today. This has been achieved through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions.
In 1999, the company acquired a small local aerospace company, Aerospace Technical Services, which specialised in aeronautical engineering and flight test.
This was followed in May 2000, when Boeing Naval Systems were acquired with the novation of a Collins Submarine combat system contract from Boeing Australia.
A further addition took place in 2003 when Honeywell Aerospace and Defence Services was acquired while in 2007, the Qantas Defence Services Avionics Business Unit contract was added to the Raytheon Australia portfolio.
Important contract wins have also occurred over the past decade. These include an Electronic Warfare Training Services Contract for the Royal Australian Navy in 2001, a contract for the Collins Submarine Replacement Combat Systems in 2002, an Avionics Workshop contract win in 2005, a Navy Aviation Retention and Motivation Initiative contract win in 2007 and selection as the Air Warfare Destroyer Combat System Systems Engineer.
As the company grew it opened facilities around the country. Today, Raytheon Australia has operations in every mainland capital as well as many regional centres such as Amberley, Nowra and Alice Springs.
Raytheon chose Canberra, with its access to its military and political stakeholders, as the base for its Australian headquarters.
Along with strong growth in the company’s operations and workforce, company sales in the Australian defence market has also grown considerably. From a turnover of around $50 million a decade ago, Raytheon Australia recorded a turnover of $611 million in 2008.
