Following the contract announcement in November last year and the recent contract signing, BAE Systems has begun project planning, recruitment and material procurement in readiness for fabrication to commence at the Henderson shipyard in June this year. The company also announced the launch of an apprenticeship program at its Henderson facility taking on two electrical and seven boilermaker apprentices as part of the overall recruitment drive for ASMD.
BAE Systems was awarded the AUD $270M contract to upgrade the seven remaining Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigates, with the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) capability already implemented on the first of class, HMAS Perth.
The new contract followed the successful upgrade of HMAS Perth last year which was completed on time and budget with completion of sea trials and acceptance taking place in June.
Like the upgrade to HMAS Perth this new contract is also being completed through the ANZAC Ship Integrated Material Support Program Alliance comprising BAE Systems, Saab Systems and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO).
BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive, David Allott said the scope of the project included ship integration of the leading edge CEA Phased Array Radar (PAR), the Vampir NG Infrared Search & Track (IRST) system, the Sharpeye Navigation Radar System (NRS), and an upgraded Saab Combat Management System (CMS) including an improved operations room layout.
“The platform integration of these systems will again require significant structural modifications and we will be able to implement process improvements gained from the work on HMAS Perth,” he said.
Mr Allott said the facilities available at the company’s Henderson yard in Western Australia meant that BAE Systems had the capability to carry out this large project to its completion in 2017.
“Our Henderson shipyard has the ability to dry-dock two ships simultaneously and this enables the fleet upgrade program to be accelerated with operational and cost benefits to the Commonwealth.
Mr Allott said the ASMD project would also be a boost for the local economy with an additional 240 jobs created by this project with 90 per cent of those based at Henderson in WA. The remainder will be at the BAE Systems Williamstown yard.
“BAE Systems is committed to developing skills within the communities in which we operate and growing our workforce with local talent.
For more information, please contact:
Simon Latimer, BAE Systems Australia
Mob: +61 (0) 401 674 110
simon.latimer@baesystems.com
John Neilson, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384795
john.neilson@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com