Huge military cuts to hit many (Australian) companies

AUSTRALIA'S defense industry reacted with dismay HAS to huge cuts in government spending, Which Will hit companies across Australia.

The workforce HAS lost about 3,000 skilled employed over the Past Three years and now are Many More Likely to Go.

It now numbers about 25.000 spread across Hundreds of wide and small companies. THEY manufacture everything from rifle bullets to share for The Revolutionary Joint Strike Fighter.

The Gillard government Announced on Tuesday in the coming year That the Amount To Be Spent on defense equipment from the drop Would 2011-12 figure of $ 11.5 million to $ 9.6m.

"To get that level of savings you've got to turn the screws everywhere," an industry official said.

"The big threat Is That did the defense industry loses vital skills it Will Be very difficulty to win 'em back."

Opposition Spokesman David Johnston Said defense budget cuts the Showed the defense industry WAS Fast Becoming a non-viable enterprise.