NSW ready to deliver future frigate sovereign industrial capability
Media release | 29 June 2018
The NSW Government supports the decision, announced today by the Prime Minister, to award BAE Systems the contract to deliver nine anti-submarine warfare frigates to the Royal Australian Navy, with construction to start in 2020.
Minister for Trade and Industry, Niall Blair said this is a good decision for the Navy, for Australia and for the nation’s defence industry who will build and support the new vessels.
“The NSW Government welcomes the decision to build the Navy’s nine new frigates here in Australia, with support from the nation’s defence industry,” Mr Blair said.
“NSW stands ready and able to deliver world-leading sovereign industrial capabilities into this long-term naval project.
“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that a sustainable, technologically advanced and globally competitive defence industry sector stands ready to support the Commonwealth’s continuous shipbuilding program for decades to come.
“I look forward to the first new frigate sailing through Sydney and joining the fleet at Garden Island, knowing that the NSW industry will have played a significant part in bringing it to life.”
Under the Commonwealth’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan, the Navy’s future fleet of submarines, frigates, and offshore patrol vessels are being built here in Australia, with support from Australia’s extensive defence industry capabilities.
NSW Defence Advocate John Harvey AM said NSW-based companies with specific expertise in naval acquisition and sustainment include Bluescope and Bisalloy (steel), Thales Australia (sonars and electronics), Raytheon (combat systems), Rolls-Royce Australia (marine propulsion), Rohde & Schwarz (radio communications), Sonartech Atlas (sonar) and BAE Systems (fleet support).
“NSW defence industry is already supporting the Navy’s future fleet, with Bisalloy and Bluescope steel incorporated into the Navy’s new replenishment ships and Thales Australia’s recent selection to supply sonar systems for the upgrade of the Navy’s Collins class submarines,” Mr Harvey said.
