Cairns marine engineers Tropical Reef Shipyards and BME NQ will build seven new watercraft to strengthen the Australian Army’s amphibious capability. The 7.5 metre vessels will be built in Cairns under a $4 million contract. The two companies will also provide spares and trailers, as well as operator and maintainer training. Founded in 1977, Tropical…
The Western Australian government has released a draft strategic infrastructure and land use plan to guide the development of its naval shipbuilding and marine engineering precinct at Henderson south of Perth. The Australian Marine Complex Draft Strategic Infrastructure and Land Use Plan envisages the freeing up of new waterside land and the creation of new…
By Peter Roberts Perth global shipbuilder Austal has received a blow with the US Navy selecting another group to design its next-generation frigates. Austal had been funded to be in competition with three others to build the frigates which will be commissioned in large numbers to help boost USN ship numbers. Austal had further developed…
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed the country to purchasing US and UK submarine technology with strong support from the Opposition, as part of the AUKUS agreement. This is the latest chapter in a decades long – and spectacularly unsuccessful – effort to establish an Australian sovereign submarine design and manufacturing enterprise. Peter Roberts…
By Peter Roberts BAE Systems Australia has batted off suggestions it will bid to construct nuclear powered submarines in Adelaide under the AUKUS deal. The company already operates a new shipyard built by the federal government at Osborne in Adelaide where it is constructing Hunter class frigates for the RAN, as well as a capable…
By Peter Roberts BAE Systems and its Australian arm could be the front runner in the supply of nuclear-powered submarines to the Royal Australian Navy under the AUKUS agreement, according to UK media reports. The London Sun reported that senior ministers were open to the idea of supplying partly-constructed Astute class submarines (pictured) to Australia…
Welding industry peak body Weld Australia announced the winners of the Victorian and Tasmanian Welding Excellence Awards at an event on Thursday evening. The awards highlight world-class work performed by welders, fabricators and educators in the industry, according to Weld Australia. “This year’s Victorian and Tasmanian winners feature businesses and people committed to the pursuit…
Winners of the 2022 South Australian Welding Excellence Awards were named at an event on Thursday night, held at Adelaide’s Terrace Hotel. According to the event’s organiser, Weld Australia, the awards are the most prestigious event on the calendar for professionals in the industry, celebrating world-class work by welders, fabricators and educators. “This year’s South…
Australia has committed to building nuclear submarines (SSNs) at ASC Adelaide. Here Scott Elaurant sets aside military matters to focus on the constructability aspects of the choices – cost, time and employment. Since AUKUS was announced the UK has advised that Astute Class SSNs are not available. This leaves the choice of SSN between the…
Michael Slattery has written in @AuManufacturing previously about the effect the unexpected cancellation of defence contracts has on SME defence manufacturers. Here, he argues that while out of pocket SMEs are still waiting for a solution, decision paralysis has set in in defence. On the morning of September 16, 2021 I had secured two appointments.…
