Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
Saab has received an order for its Sea Giraffe multi-role naval radar from an unnamed customer, the company announced on 26 June.
The order includes associated equipment including spare parts.
Sea Giraffe AMB is a multi-role medium-range 3D surveillance radar system for naval environments from the littorals to blue-water operations. It provides medium range, simultaneous air and surface surveillance and also has weapon designation capability.
Anders Carp, head of Saab’s business area surveillance, said: ‘This order is further proof of the Sea Giraffe family’s strong market position. Our radar’s proven reliability in combination with state-of-the-art technology and compact design is unique on the market.’
The work for the initial phase of the contract will be carried out during 2018-2019. The contract also includes options for more than ten additional Sea Giraffe AMB.
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.