Perth shipbuilder Austal has been awarded a contract extension for the construction of two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy. The $157 million contract follows the procurement announcement made by the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA) on 23 November 2023 and brings the total number of Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats being delivered…
By Peter Layton, Griffith University Australia’s naval surface combatant fleet is in trouble. The eight Anzac frigates are worn out after three decades of Middle Eastern adventures and hard to crew. The Anzac’s replacements, the much-criticised Hunter Class frigates, are late – the first will not enter service until 2032 or so. The project’s cost…
Defence companies have quickly moved to welcome federal government plans for an enlarged Royal Australian Navy surface fleet at a cost of $11.1 billion over 10 years. Raytheon Australia Managing Director Michael Ward said the planned fleet wiould provide Australia with a much more potent naval capability encompassing significantly enhanced vertically launched strike and air…
By Peter Roberts It is amazing what a little cold hard cash – an extra $11 billion bringing the total to $38 billion over 10 years to be exact – can do. The federal government has tried to work wonders by piling the cash into the defence budget to achieve three of what seemed like…
The Nupress Group is the latest SME to be awarded a contract to supply components for the new KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile. Nupress is to partner with Kongsberg Defence Australia to deliver ‘First Class’ manufacturing with the supply of mechanical components for the NSM capability being delivered under Project SEA 1300 Phase 1 – Navy…
Wire arc metal additive manufacturing machinery manufacturer AML3D has reported the company’s second successive quarter of record quarterly cash receipts, reflecting the continuing strong momentum in the company’s US ‘Scale up’ strategy in the US defence sector. The strategy delivered over A$12 million of orders in CY2023 in support of the US Department of Defence,…
Lockheed Martin Australia’s supply of key defence equipment comes with extensive economic benefits, according to the Lockheed Martin Australia 2022 Economic Impact Report, produced by Deloitte Access Economics. LMA supplies the F-35 Joint Strike fighter, Sikorsky helicopters and Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft among others supports 3,422 jobs nationally, according to DE. Highlights from…
The federal government has moved to ensure Australian-made steel will be used in the construction of Australia’s conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines when they are built at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, subject to a qualification process. The Australian Submarine Agency has entered into a contract with Australian steel manufacturer, Bisalloy Steels, for the qualification of Australian…
Ocius Technology‘s Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel is to be trialed by the Royal New Zealand Navy. The company took to social media to confirm reports that the 6.8-metre, renewably-powered surveillance vessel was enroute to NZ where it will undergo trials. Last year the Royal Australian Navy contracted to acquire five Bluebottle USVs from Ocius, following…
Metal 3D printer manufacturer AML3D has received a contract for the manufacture of a test part to be used in preparation of the Hunter class frigates being constructed at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. The company did not detail the part but said it ‘may have application within BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s (BAESMA’s) contract…
