HMAS Armidale shows extent of SME’s defence involvement

A just-completed maintenance operation on HMAS Armidale (pictured) has illustrated the extent of SME involvement in supporting the Australian defence forces.

Defence minister Melissa Price today announced Armidale had undocked in Cairns after undergoing a $5 million servicing and restoration project at the Norship shipyard.

More than 200 critical tasks were carried out by Norship and its sub-contractors in the Cairns area, as well as by the navy’s Fleet Support Unit and the the ship’s crew.

Other than Norship, local suppliers involved were:

• Alpha Cool (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning works);
• Electrotech (electronics, radar and communications systems);
• Kelly’s Australia (ultra high pressure water blasting);
• Northern Waters (potable water systems);
• Pasma (specialist marine electronics repairs);
• Royal Wolf (container rental);
• Tinus Electrical (catering equipment);
• TQN (hydraulic systems);
• Trinity Fire (fire control and gas monitoring); and
• Far North Fabrication and G.A. Glanville (hull repairs and maintenance).

Norship is a privately owned business with a 70 year heritage across the maritime, shipbuilding and engineering industries.

More than 100 people were employed in the region during the project.

The member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said: “With a substantial number of local companies qualified to provide expertise for later services this is a great example of how capable our local defence industry is, and the diverse range of companies taking up opportunities in the defence supply chain.”

Picture: Norship

Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.