Australian industry is seeing a resurgence on the back of opportunities in the shipbuilding industry.

That’s the message from ICN SA consultant Jeremy Satchell, who says individual companies are gearing themselves up for never-before-seen opportunities.

“There is a challenge ahead, but I think industry will be pleasantly surprised at how they are able to supply into these projects into the future,” he said.

The industry is being supported by the Naval Shipbuilding College that opened in Osborne, South Australia last month. The college’s mission is to ensure that a suitably skilled and qualified sovereign workforce is available to meet the needs of shipbuilders who will deliver our latest naval assets.

“There is a real buzz around the naval shipbuilding industry in Australia when you look at the wide array of projects and work opportunities on offer, as well as infrastructure,” Jeremy said.

“We are also seeing industry get excited and start putting the building block in place to service those programs.”
The main players in the resurgence include BAE Systems, Navantia, Lockheed Martin, Naval Group and the Naval Ship Management Joint Venture of Babcock and UGL Limited.

All have worked with ICN to list work packages on ICN Gateway, and a number of industry briefings have been held across the country.

The following projects are currently listed on Gateway, and new work packages are regularly added.

 

BAE Systems SEA 5000 - Hunter Class Frigate Program

This program will oversee the acquisition of nine high-capability ‘Hunter-Class’ Frigates for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ships will be built in Adelaide, with the first steel expected to be cut in 2020. They will be fitted with world-leading phased array radar systems being developed by Australia's CEA Technologies.

BAE Systems’ engagement strategy focuses on ensuring that Australian industry has maximum opportunity to be involved, and the company is holding a series of invite-only supplier events throughout the program schedule. The company welcomes expressions of Interest from industry to help understand the maritime capability in Australia and maximise the commercial opportunities for suppliers.

In the near future, we should begin to see enhanced engagement from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers who have been down selected for the program. This engagement will provide further opportunities for Australian business to get involved.

For more information, or to register interest, go to the BAE Systems Sea 5000 Gateway page.

 

Navantia Australia Pty Ltd - Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Supplier, Capability & Innovation Portal

In 2016, Navantia won the contract to build two Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships to replace the HMAS Success and HMAS Sirius. These ships will provide operational support to the Navy’s fleet by providing fuel, munitions and stores.
Australian industry is playing a key role in the project, with a minimum $120 million investment into Australian products, skills and expertise associated with the two ship build.

Navantia is seeking expressions of interest from Australian industry, including SMEs who want to be part of the sustainment and maintenance of these ships upon their entry to service. A detailed and complex supply chain will be required to support these ships throughout Australia, providing excellent opportunities for industry outside of the traditional maintenance hubs of Perth and Sydney to play a role throughout their service life.

For more information, or to register interest, go to the Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Supplier, Capability & Innovation Portal.

 

Future Submarine Program

In 2016, France’s Naval Group won the contract as Australia's international partner for the design and build of 12 Future Submarines, built in Australia, using Australian suppliers where possible.

The first submarine will be in service in the early 2030s with construction of the last submarine in the 2050s. Sustainment will continue into the 2080s.

“There is very little on these subs that can’t be done in Australia, but we need to determine local capability,” Naval Group’s Brent Clark told an industry briefing in Adelaide earlier this year.

An industry briefing will be held in Adelaide on 05 November which will provide information on opportunities including:
1. Critical and Main material or systems
2. Standard equipment
3. Submarine Construction Yard (SCY)
4. Direct services

For more information, or to register interest, go to the Future Submarine Gateway page.

 

Future Submarine Combat System Program

Lockheed Martin Australia has partnered with the Department of Defence and Naval Group to design and integrate the combat system for the Future Submarine Program.

The company is committed to maximising opportunities for Australian industry and involvement through all phases of the Future Submarine Program and have recently completed its initial call for R&D to support industry in exploring new solutions and sovereign technologies for the combat systems.

This is a ongoing and lengthy program, so the R&D phase recognises that the technological solutions potentially needed may not necessarily have been invented yet.

The next R&D process will be conducted in the third quarter of 2019.

For more information, or to submit ideas for consideration in support of future R&D activities, go to the Lockheed Martin Gateway page.

 

Naval Ship Management - LHD Support and Sustainment

Naval Ship Management, a joint venture between Babcock and UGL Limited, was established to provide a range of support services for the ANZAC Class and associated system support facilities.

The company is a short-listed tenderer for the Prime Contractor Support Contract for the LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock) Asset Class, which includes the two LHDs and 12 landing craft.

Naval Ship Management is committed to supporting an Australian sovereign defence through high-performing Australian supply chains, trained to consistent world-class standards, that leads to upskilling of Industry to deliver enhanced capability for defence.

Companies wishing to express interest in becoming part of the Australian supply chain to support these assets for the Royal Australian Navy, please go to the LHD Support and Sustainment page on Gateway.