Hunter frigates to get ‘ Capability Life Cycle Manager’

The federal government is to appoint a Capability Life Cycle Manager for the nine Hunter class frigates which are to be built at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide.

The role, which defence industry minister Melissa Price dubbed the sustainment ‘steward’ of the vessels, will manage an expected $5.1 billion in contracts through the service lives of the anti-submarine ships.

She said this was a new approach to sustainment that would optimise the destroyers’ capability and create 300 jobs in South Australia.

Price said: “This model builds on the success of our continuous naval shipbuilding initiative and has been designed to ensure we can continue to deliver complex naval capability at sea that is reliable and fit-for-purpose.

“It includes performing asset management for the capability and supporting the upgrade of their combat management system.”

The move follows the appointment of Raytheon as the Capability Life Cycle Manager for the new Arafura class offshore patrol vessels in December 2020.

BAE Systems Australia Maritime has begun prototyping work on the frigates, recently rolling out the first prototype hull unit.

An Industry Briefing will be held about the Hobart class destroyer Capability Life Cycle Manager on 4 November 2021.

Tenders will need to be received on or before 21 January 2022 and information can be viewed here.

Picture: Defence SA/Osborne Naval Shipyard

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