As part of our Tracking Corruption in the Arms Trade Program, World Peace Foundation collaborates with the Corruption Tracker (CT) to document and analyze the global impact of corruption in the arms trade.
The CT’s most recent case, written by Jack Cinamon and another author who wishes to remain anonymous, investigates the Australia Adelaide-class Sustainment Contracts.
According to the CT, over three decades after the transfer of the Adelaide-class frigates to Australia, sustainment contracts were awarded to BAE Systems and Thales without a formal bidding process.
During this period, the Australian government, led by the Liberal Party, and the opposition Labor Party both committed to increasing defense investment. This led to the selection of BAE Systems and Thales to upgrade the outdated Adelaide-class frigates. However, staff members of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) within the Australian Defence Department faced accusations of inappropriately favoring these two contractors in their procurement decisions.
To read the full report on the Adelaide-class Sustainment Contracts and other cases of corruption visit the Corruption Tracker.
