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| ANZAC class Frigates (File Photo) |
Edinburgh Parks, Australia: The new sustainment agreement between the Australian Government and Defence industry to support the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) ANZAC class frigate fleet signed in April, came into effect on 1 July, with the first order worth approximately $200 million to BAE Systems.
The partnership which includes BAE Systems Australia, Saab Australia Pty Ltd, Naval Ship Management Pty Ltd and the Commonwealth of Australia is valued at over $2 billion over eight years. Central to the new agreement is the RAN’s requirement for improved capability and availability of the fleet.
BAE Systems involvement in the alliance known as the Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) will include asset management in Rockingham (Western Australia), platform engineering and integration support in Williamstown (Victoria) and major refit and upgrade implementation at Henderson (Western Australia).
The initial program agreement covering the first 18 months of work under the program was signed on 30 June and includes work to be done on the first ship to enter the Life of Type Assurance Programme (LOTAP) at the Company’s Henderson shipyard.
BAE Systems manages a broad program of warship engineering services through its team of more than 250 engineers located in Williamstown (Victoria), including the design work for the Platform Systems Remediation (PSR) project, which will be implemented on the lead ship HMAS PERTH during the period of this first program agreement.
BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Glynn Phillips said: “BAE Systems involvement in this agreement reflects the work that the Company has done to date in the sustainment of the ANZAC class fleet over the last 15 years, including the upgrade of these frigates with a world leading Anti-Ship Missile Defence capability. Our work on this program allows industry to retain important skills in engineering and program management which are contributing to our current role providing sustainment services across four different classes of naval surface ships and our potential future role in the sustainment of new ship classes including the Air Warfare Destroyer transition support partner, the Offshore Patrol Vessel (SEA1180) and Future Frigate (SEA5000) programs.”