The Australian and UK Governments have announced a significant milestone between the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) and industry partners that will support the delivery of the SSN AUKUS fleet of locally built, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy. The SSNA platform will replace the Astute Class SSN for the UK Royal Navy…
Defence Minister Richard Marles has defended the Hunter class anti-submarine warfare frigates being built in Adelaide by BAE Systems from criticism over their $4 billion price tag. Speaking in Darwin where the government received its first MQ-4C Triton long range, long endurance surveillance UAV (pictured), Marles was asked whether $4 billion was good value for…
Queensland manufacturer Craig International Ballistics will supply ballistic protection windows for the first three Hunter class frigates under an agreement with BAE Systems Maritime Australia. The order, which follows receipt of a $30 million order from Defence for body armour earlier this month, will see CIB provide transparent armour on each of the anti-submarine warfare…
Silentium doubles down on US market entry with senior appointment Passive radar systems manufacturer Silentium Defence has announced further commitment to the US market, posting co-founder and Chief Experience Officer, Simon Palumbo to Virginia. Palumbo will assume the role, Executive Vice President, Silentium Defense Corporation, and be responsible for in-country customer support, business development, talent…
Composites manufacturer Airspeed has been awarded a contract to manufacture Replenishment At Sea (RAS) Stump Masts for the first batch of three Hunter class frigates being built in Adelaide. The RAS Stump Masts allow for the transfer of fuel, munitions and stores from one ship to another while at sea. Airspeed Managing Director Steve Barlow…
BAE Systems’ Hunter Class Frigate Program has successfully completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR), with a celebratory event to mark the completion held at the Company’s Osborne shipyard to mark the milestone. The review, which has been running since July, is a technical assessment that ensures the design is operationally effective and underpins the more…
By Peter Roberts In the face of criticism that Australia is building the wrong type of naval vessel in a time of rising tension, BAE Systems Australia has revealed a more lethal, attack version of the Hunter class frigate it is building in Adelaide. Conceived as a largely anti-submarine vessel, the nine Hunter class frigates…
BAE Systems Australia Maritime Managing Director Craig Lockhart has hit back at criticism of the construction of Hunter class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. In an opinion article published on the company website Lockhart said the go-to narrative that the project was ‘troubled’ came from those who…
