Northrop Grumman To Acquire Qantas Group's Defence Services Business

Northrop Grumman Australia announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with Qantas Airways Limited to acquire Australia-based Qantas Defence Services Pty Limited (QDS).

QDS provides integrated logistics, sustainment and modernization support to Australian government and military customers. The acquisition is subject to various conditions and is expected to close in 2014. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

"QDS complements our current integrated logistics and modernization efforts and advances our international strategy. We expect QDS will provide an important platform for international growth in our key focus areas of unmanned, C4ISR, cyber, and logistics and modernization," said Wes Bush, Northrop Grumman chairman, chief executive officer and president.

With more than 300 employees in facilities throughout Australia, QDS provides through life support for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Multi Role Tanker Transport fleet, turn-key operational logistics services for the Australian Government's VIP aircraft, and engine overhaul services for the Orion P-3 and Hawk Lead-in Fighter. In addition, Indonesia recently awarded QDS a contract to refurbish C-130H aircraft. QDS also provides engineering consultancy services to the Royal Australian Navy and other maritime customers.