Frigate builder seeks shipyard capabilities

BAE Systems Australia Maritime (BAESMA) is seeking EOIs from industry to investigate infrastructure, workforce and shipyard capabilities to ensure the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia is world class.

BAESMA and Lloyd’s Register (LR) said that they will work on a program that will help the Australian industry prepare to offer products that meet the requirements of LR Classification for the Hunter Class Frigate New Construction Program.

Following transfer of required LR knowledge to a small team of BAESMA personnel, this team will be available to assist and advise industry participants in the requirements of LR certification.

This support will be available to those organisations that have been identified as potential suppliers of material, equipment and components that require LR certification for the Hunter Class Project or one of the Hunter Class Project’s Original Equipment Manufacturers.

Managing director of BAESAM Craig Lockhart said the next two years of prototyping were incredibly important as the company proved its systems and manufacturing processes ahead of construction of nine anti-submarine frigates starting at the end of 2022.

He said Australian companies would play a significant role in the prototyping phase, providing ‘the overwhelming majority of the content’.

He said the company was also working with Australian industry and academia to explore and test local technologies that could contribute to the efficiency of the construction phase.

BAE Systems Maritime Australia has created a supplementary ICN page with intent to update industry by publishing a quarterly update, which is in addition to a series of planned webinars.

This quarterly update is available here.

Picture: US Navy/USS Independence departs San Diego

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