BAE Australia seeks new opportunities EDINBURGH, Austria, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- BAE Systems reports it is seeking to strengthen its local supply chain in Australia and develop new business opportunities. The initiative is called the Global Access Program, which features a team of specialists who will work with its small and medium-sized suppliers to broaden BAE's range of business opportunities. BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive David Allott said more than 50 small and medium enterprises have secured work as part of BAE's worldwide supply chain, including the supply of components for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. "Already, Victorian precision engineering company Marand has secured a long-term deal with our global company potentially valued at nearly $800 million over the next 20 years to supply vertical tail components," he said. Six other SMEs across Australia are also currently delivering a series of qualification contracts that, if successful, will ultimately lead to securing up to $300 million of work to provide advanced (components) for the JSF's Electronic Warfare systems. "Our new GAP team will be building on these programs and looking to identify others that can open more doors for more Australian companies into our worldwide network," he said.