Northrop Grumman has noted a commitment by Australia’s conservative opposition that Australia would return to the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) system, but is not adjusting its industrial activity in Australia ahead of a September election.
Australia’s Shadow Defence Minister David Johnston said on 24 February that the country would return to BAMS if the conservative Liberal party won power over the Australian Labor Party, which scrapped involvement in the programme. He described leaving the programme as ‘a stupid decision’.
Opinion polls have pointed to a decisive Liberal party win.
Northrop Grumman provides the Triton UAV, a substantially changed derivative