OPV project of concern summit held in Canberra

The Australian Government is acting to get the Defence acquisition projects back on track with the Projects of Concern process turning to the Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessel contract.

​Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, Luerssen Australia’s Chairman Tim Wagner and senior Defence and Luerssen Australia officials met at a Projects of Concern Summit in Canberra to discuss the SEA 1180 Phase 1 – Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) project.

The OPV project was listed as a Project of Concern in October this year, with the project experiencing delays in delivery of both the vessels and the associated support system.

​The first two vessels are being built for the Royal Australian Navy to replace Armidale class patrol boats at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. The remaining 10 are being constructed at the Henderson Maritime Precinct in Western Australia.

Schedule delays with the project first emerged in 2022.

At the Canberra meeting, Defence and Luerssen Australia recommitted to working collaboratively to resolve the significant challenges experienced with the delivery schedule for the OPV capability.

The Project of Concern process is a proven way to remediate challenging projects through ministerial oversight and bringing Defence and industry together for constructive discussions.

Conroy said: “I thank company representatives and Defence officials for their work today in discussing the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel project. Top-level focus is essential to ensure we are doing all we can to remediate areas of deficiency.

“Defence and our industry partner Luerssen Australia have committed to jointly address the significant schedule delays facing this project. Defence looks forward to working collaboratively with Luerssen Australia to get the project back on track.

“Today’s Summit has provided the leadership, commitment and oversight that is needed to work towards remediating this project.”

Further reading:
Patrol vessels are new defence ‘project of concern’

Picture: Luerssen Australia