Industry Engagement

The protagonists of the SKA recognised the need and benefits of industrial participation from an early stage, correctly reasoning that the instrument simply could not be funded nor built without the economies of scale afforded by industry. Prior to around 2009, industrial engagement took the form of lively, though largely uncoordinated, activities driven by member countries to stir industrial interest and encourage minor contributions to the national effort. After 2009, the (optimistic) promise of imminent larger contracts fuelled closer engagement, with larger multinational companies, who were interested in both the contracts to deliver the telescope, and in the spin-off technologies. Once the SKA Project Development Office became active, industry engagement grew more strategic and coordinated, underpinned by various industry consortia and international events promoting the global nature of the project. Much good work was done leading up to the dual-site decision in 2012 in preparation for capability scouting and supply chain development within a complex procurement environment. While this work laid a foundation for an informed, competitive, and motivated global industrial capability, ultimately the project elected to largely procure through contracts and work packages tuned to Member country investment.