Ottawa, June 6, 2014 – The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) and the Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) today formally announced an agreement to promote cooperation between the two industry associations in support of mutual objectives.

Today’s announcement follows the signing in Ottawa last week of a Memorandum of Understanding between CADSI and AIDN. The signing took place at the annual Quadrilateral Defence and Security Conference, an event organized and hosted by CADSI, AIDN and their counterpart associations in the United Kingdom and the United States.

“The governments and militaries of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand (the “Five Eyes”) have long cooperated under multilateral agreements on defence and security issues of common interest,” said CADSI President Tim Page. “These strong political and military relationships invite an opportunity for closer collaboration between our respective industrial associations and our respective members. This Memorandum of Understanding with Australia reflects an important step in that direction.”

“It is our pleasure to be working with CADSI. This collaboration will bring together two associations to share and exchange relevant industry knowledge and capabilities, allowing for better growth and development of our defence and security industries. I am confident that this partnership will benefit both countries,” said AIDN Executive Officer Sue Smith.

AIDN, established in 1995, represents the interests of small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Australian defence and security sector through advocacy, representation and member services. The network, made up of State and Territory chapters, has a combined membership of more than 800 companies.

CADSI, representing more than 1,000 member companies, is the recognized, respected and premier voice of Canada’s defence and security industries. The association strives to influence public policy affecting Canadian defence and security industries, to facilitate business development domestically and internationally, and to provide value-added services to its members.