Saab Australia Welcomes Government's Committment to Naval Shipbuilding
Saab Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a continuous build program for the Royal Australian Navy’s Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels, which Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced in Adelaide on Tuesday.
Saab’s Australian-developed combat management systems are currently in service on the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC class frigates and Canberra class amphibious vessels and Saab Australia looks forward to engaging with participants in the competitive evaluation process for the Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessel. This will ensure that the Royal Australian Navy continues to benefit from locally-developed, world-leading combat systems into the future.
“Saab has been developing and delivering combat system solutions to the Royal Australian Navy for over 25 years. In that time we have developed world-leading advanced manufacturing expertise in Adelaide,” said Dean Rosenfield, Managing Director of Saab Australia. “The announcement of a continuous build program by Prime Minister Abbott and Defence Minister Andrews gives us confidence that we can continue to develop world-class systems here in Australia for years to come.”
With over 200 combat systems engineers based in Adelaide, Saab Australia has been delivering complex combat management systems to the Royal Australian Navy for over 25 years. Saab’s 9LV combat system integrates the ships electronic sensors, including the Australian-developed CEAFAR phase array radar, and weapons systems. This seamless integration allows the frigates to quickly respond to incoming threats, such as anti-ship missiles.
“Saab Australia has proven that the Australian defence industry can deliver world class naval combat system solutions,” Mr Rosenfield said. “The latest upgrade to the ANZAC class frigates has delivered a leading-edge capability developed here in Australia. The upgrade has been delivered on-time and on-budget. The continued evolution of Saab Australia’s system will provide an excellent combat system for the Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels.”
In 2014 the Federal Government contracted Saab Australia and CEA Technologies to undertake investigations, based on the latest ANZAC frigate upgrade, to reduce the risks for combat systems integration on the Future Frigate. Those initial studies have been completed and are being evaluated by Defence.
“We will continue to evolve our combat systems expertise in Adelaide. The locally designed and developed Saab Australia combat systems integration will mean Australia can continue developing and evolving the Future Frigate’s weapons and sensors as part of its continuous build. This will keep the Royal Australian Navy at the leading edge of capability,” Mr Rosenfield said.
Saab Australia was established in Adelaide, South Australia in 1988 to deliver the ANZAC frigates’ initial combat system. Saab Australia employs over 350 personnel, the majority of whom have many years’ experience in the design development, test and sustainment of naval combat systems. Saab was voted Defence Industry’s Employer of Choice in 2015.
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David Ledger, Marketing Communications Manager, Saab Australia, +61 (0) 421 054 698
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