01 Jul 2009 | Ref. 114/2009
ADELAIDE, Australia - BAE Systems Australia has confirmed that it will partner with Spanish firm Indra to offer a proven Electronic Warfare (EW) sensor and countermeasure suite for Australia’s next generation Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).
The solution offers the lowest possible risk to the Royal Australian Navy being the same system that is already in use on the Spanish Navy’s F-100 class destroyers, on which the AWD design is based.
Kim Scott, BAE Systems’ Joint Business Unit Director, said that the AWD Alliance had clearly specified that it was seeking a proven, off the shelf EW requirement that did not need development.
“The Indra Rigel EW system has been accepted by the Spanish Navy and meets the Australian AWD requirement for the Hobart class destroyer,” Mr Scott said.
“Coupled with BAE Systems EW expertise, this will provide critical first line defence from anti-ship missiles for Australia’s AWDs,” he said.
“Under the partnership announced today, an Indra-BAE Systems team based in South Australia, would deliver, test and support the EW systems for the new AWDs,” Mr Scott said.
Mr Scott said the system would be based around an open architecture approach that offers a path for the ready adoption of emerging Australian EW technology such as that being developed by BAE Systems and Defence.
“This would allow our Navy to maintain a performance edge over the life of the system,” Mr Scott said.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.
For further information contact:
Simon Latimer, BAE Systems Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 8 8480 8759, Mob: +61 (0) 401 674 110
simon.latimer@baesystems.com
John Neilson, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0) 1252 384795 Mob: + 44 (0)7802 337704
john.neilson@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
