BAE aims to boost RAN Hunter frigate supply chain
BAE Systems is offering A$20 million in contracts to suppliers to support Australia’s Hunter-class Type 26-derived frigate acquisition.
It is opening up opportunities to 150 businesses from Australia at a meeting in Adelaide, offering a procurement update that will also launch a bid for work on the programme’s prototyping phase that begins this year.
This will include Australian businesses that supply equipment and services, including scaffolding and pipes to deck coverings and insulation.
During this phase, Australian businesses can bid for contracts in two specific supplier categories. One category known as ‘category D’ is committed to achieving 100% Australian suppliers.
The prototyping phase is a crucial stage in the programme, BAE says, during which all the processes, systems, tools, facilities and workforce competencies will be tested and refined before construction on the first frigate commences in 2022.
The $35 billion Hunter programme will deliver nine anti-submarine warfare frigates to the Royal Australian Navy, and is the biggest surface ship project in Australia’s defence history.
As of December 2020, five vessels will be built at ASC’s Osborne Naval Shipyard, in South Australia.
‘The Hunter programme is committed to maximising opportunities for Australian suppliers through supply contracts and initiatives to nurture and grow small-to-medium sized businesses,’ managing director of ASC Shipbuilding, Craig Lockhart, said.
‘Today’s procurement update is not a just an information session – this is a genuine opportunity for our team to help Australian businesses bid for upcoming contracts to supply equipment and materials for the prototyping blocks, like scaffolding, pipes, steel, deck coverings, cables and insulation, as well as services, like outfitting and painting.’
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Project SEA 5000 Phase 1 (4-6) [Australia]
Project SEA 5000 Phase 1 (1-3) [Australia]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![South Korean navy orders four more Geomdoksuri Batch-II patrol vessels]()
South Korean navy orders four more Geomdoksuri Batch-II patrol vessels
The contract follows on from previous work by Hanjin Heavy Industries on the Republic of Korea's Navy’s (ROKN's) fleet.
-
![Virginia and Columbia-class submarine programmes sign long-term parts deals]()
Virginia and Columbia-class submarine programmes sign long-term parts deals
Parts from both US and Australian manufacturers will be used to build two critical submarine classes.
-
![Joint Expeditionary Force launches AI protection net for undersea cables]()
Joint Expeditionary Force launches AI protection net for undersea cables
The UK-led system assesses potential threats before they result in undersea cable damage.
-
![Entire Black Sea “a contested maritime area”, says Commander of Estonian Navy]()
Entire Black Sea “a contested maritime area”, says Commander of Estonian Navy
The use of uncrewed vessels and vehicles has been crucial so far, but the Commander of the Estonian Navy warns against inflating their importance.
-
![Algeria signals a shift to domestic shipbuilding for Type 056 corvettes]()
Algeria signals a shift to domestic shipbuilding for Type 056 corvettes
The government recently commissioned a report on the viability of increased Algerian shipbuilding.
-
![US Navy names DDG 146 Arleigh Burke destroyer after former US Senator]()
US Navy names DDG 146 Arleigh Burke destroyer after former US Senator
The latest of the Flight III Arleigh Burke vessels has been named for a former US Senator and Vietnam veteran.
