Naval Group seeks $100 million worth of local tools and equipment

Submarine builder Naval Group Australia has put out a call to source $100 million worth of tools and equipment for the new shipyard being built at Osborne in South Australia ahead of the building of a submarine hull qualification section in 2023.

The company is looking for 1,000 different ready-made and custom manufactured items from suppliers to be used at the facility.

Released through Naval Group Australia’s Industry Capability Network portal, the purchase plan is targeted to Australia suppliers of hand and machine tools, transport trollies, office equipment, welding machines, scaffolding, whiteboards, tanks and sumps and pumps, personal protective equipment, workshop benches and a plasma cutter.

The announcement is in addition to the release of Naval Group’s almost $900 million local manufacturing package, which seeks tier-one Australian partners to build more than 20 highly- sophisticated pieces of equipment which will be included in the 12 new Attack class submarines.

Naval Group Australia CEO John Davis said: “Australia’s Future Submarine Program is on the cusp of an exciting new phase, as a new and modern new shipyard rises from the ground and preparations for construction begin.

“The opportunity for Australian suppliers to get involved in this latest $100 million investment in tools and equipment for the shipyard is significant, as we continue growing the local supply chain.

“We will be targeting this purchase to small and medium Australian businesses, and aiming to build long-term relationships that will continue throughout this multi-decade submarine program.”

Naval Group global Chief Executive Officer Pierre Eric Pommellet said ensuring that at least 60 per cent of the Attack Class contract value is spent locally will create hundreds of Australian jobs, for the long term, in new supply chains around the country.

Pommellet said: “The local teams are working hard to build new supply chains, create sovereign capabilities and design a new and advanced submarine which will be built for Australia’s unique conditions.”

Naval Group is working closely with Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI), which is responsible for the construction of the shipyard.

Construction has advanced on the Platform Land-Based Test Facility, which is on schedule for hand-over to Naval Group Australia next year.

With the fabrication hall and the main assembly hall, it is one of three major structures at Adelaide’s new Osborne submarine construction yard to be used in the delivery of the Attack Class vessels.

The Platform Land-Based Test Facility will be used to verify and refine the performance of critical Attack Class submarine propulsion systems.

More than 2000 businesses in Australia have now registered their interest with the Naval Group Australia Industry Capability Network portal.

For further information about Naval Group’s ongoing commitment to Australian jobs and local businesses see here.

Picture: Naval Group

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