Australian group ASDAM has completed the acquisition of Ruag Australia from Ruag International, adding to its portfolio of work related to the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter.
All shares of Ruag Australia have been transferred to ASDAM, consummating a deal originally announced in April, says Ruag.
Ruag offers no financial details about the deal, but in April said that the move will affect 150 employees in Australia.
Ruag Australia is involved with aerostructures manufacturing, MRO, engineering, additive manufacturing, and surface treatments for both defence and commercial customers.
A key element of Ruag Australia’s business is the F-35, as the USA’s F-35 Joint Program Office and the Australian government have assigned it to sustain 60% of the type’s components in the Asia-Pacific.
“The combined resources of the ASDAM Group will enable RUAG Australia to further invest and grow its defence and aerospace capability in Australia,” says Ruag.
Ruag adds that the move is consistent with its effort to focus on the space market.
FlightGlobal has reached out to ASDAM for comment.
ASDAM also owns TAE Aerospace, which operates the Asia-Pacific’s only MRO facility for the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine that powers the F-35. In July, TAE announced that its Australian F135 engine shop achieved Initial Depot Capability for MRO work related to the engine, supporting F-35 fleets in Australia, South Korea, and Japan, as well as US F-35s deployed to the Asia-Pacific.
In addition, TAE has work on Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Other companies under ASDAM are Marand and Levett Engineering, both of which have work related to the F-35.
ASDAM is owned by Australian private equity firm CPE Capital. Beyond ASDAM, CPE has interests in the automobile, concrete, recycling, and retail sectors.
In June, Australia’s Department of Defence said that the number of F-35As in Australia had risen to 50 examples. Utimately the RAAF aims to operate 72 F-35As.
