Arrowhead for Australia
WA is poised to make a pitch to the Federal Government to become the home of a future warship build that will fill a capability gap for the Royal Australian Navy.
The West Australian understands the Henderson shipyard is the frontrunner for manufacturing the multi-mission ship with an international defence company expected to put in a bid any week now.
Babcock Australasia is waiting for the Government’s imminent response to the surface fleet review, which was designed to ensure the size, structure and composition of the Navy’s vessels complement the delivery of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
Concerns are growing in South Australia amid speculation this week a $45 billion project to build nine Hunter-class frigates at Osborne Naval Shipyard could be scaled back.
SA will build some frigates and nuclear-powered submarines, while WA will be responsible for shipbuilding work and the sustainment of vessels, as recommended by the Defence Strategic Review.
Babcock’s arrowhead warship — a type 31 frigate — is believed to be the favourite in the race to win an impending tender to boost Australia’s naval requirements for now and into the future.
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Babcock’s type 31 arrowhead frigate.
The other contenders are set to include Navantia’s air warfare destroyers or Luerssen’s upgraded corvette ships.
The first arrowhead ships are being built for the UK Royal Navy at Rosyth in Scotland and are set to be delivered within seven years.
Speaking to The West Australian from its UK headquarters during a site visit, Babcock Rosyth ship build director Neil Bennett said the same warship model could be replicated in Australia at a faster speed.
“If you buy exactly the same vessel as a type 31, you’re going to accelerate your speed,” Mr Bennett said.
“If you wish to bring in a design change to fit a different combat system and want a different engine, for example, that duration totally changes.”
The arrowhead is built using some robotic technology and is constructed in a shed to avoid any delays to the building due to poor weather conditions.
Once operational, it requires a crew of just 100 people.
The WA Government submitted a proposal to the surface fleet review last year, advocating for the use of the State’s premier shipbuilding sector to fulfil national requirements in naval shipbuilding, sustainment, and maintenance.
“The proposal emphasised WA’s defence industry collaboration, sustainable shipbuilding planning, and the need for timely decisions from the Australian Government to secure workforce stability and infrastructure investments,” a WA Government spokeswoman said.
“We will continue to advocate for opportunities to invest in our globally competitive defence industry sector and provide jobs for West Australians.”
BAE Systems workers stage massive walk-out at Henderson headquarters in fight for pay rises
Peter Hudson: Why the Government needs to revive plans for the Henderson dry dock
The Commonwealth in November announced WA would have a continuous naval shipbuilding industry, potentially creating 800 jobs, after entering a partnership with the Defence Force and Austal.
Austal, Australia’s global shipbuilder, will construct the Army’s Landing Craft Medium and Heavy vessels, with 18 medium vessels designed by Birdon Group to be built at Henderson.
It comes after the defence strategic review last year urged the Federal and WA governments to “actively and urgently” intervene to get the Henderson shipyard up to scratch.
The report stated the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson faced “significant challenges” around shipbuilding, workforce, the facility’s layout and development, and the relationship between all parties involved, including infrastructure, shipbuilders, contractors and workforce providers.
The reporter was a guest of Babcock Australasian.
Article from the "West Australian"
https://www.babcockinternational.com/wh ... e/type-31/
WA is poised to make a pitch to the Federal Government to become the home of a future warship build that will fill a capability gap for the Royal Australian Navy.
The West Australian understands the Henderson shipyard is the frontrunner for manufacturing the multi-mission ship with an international defence company expected to put in a bid any week now.
Babcock Australasia is waiting for the Government’s imminent response to the surface fleet review, which was designed to ensure the size, structure and composition of the Navy’s vessels complement the delivery of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
Concerns are growing in South Australia amid speculation this week a $45 billion project to build nine Hunter-class frigates at Osborne Naval Shipyard could be scaled back.
SA will build some frigates and nuclear-powered submarines, while WA will be responsible for shipbuilding work and the sustainment of vessels, as recommended by the Defence Strategic Review.
Babcock’s arrowhead warship — a type 31 frigate — is believed to be the favourite in the race to win an impending tender to boost Australia’s naval requirements for now and into the future.
The other contenders are set to include Navantia’s air warfare destroyers or Luerssen’s upgraded corvette ships.
The first arrowhead ships are being built for the UK Royal Navy at Rosyth in Scotland and are set to be delivered within seven years.
Speaking to The West Australian from its UK headquarters during a site visit, Babcock Rosyth ship build director Neil Bennett said the same warship model could be replicated in Australia at a faster speed.
“If you buy exactly the same vessel as a type 31, you’re going to accelerate your speed,” Mr Bennett said.
“If you wish to bring in a design change to fit a different combat system and want a different engine, for example, that duration totally changes.”
The arrowhead is built using some robotic technology and is constructed in a shed to avoid any delays to the building due to poor weather conditions.
Once operational, it requires a crew of just 100 people.
The WA Government submitted a proposal to the surface fleet review last year, advocating for the use of the State’s premier shipbuilding sector to fulfil national requirements in naval shipbuilding, sustainment, and maintenance.
“The proposal emphasised WA’s defence industry collaboration, sustainable shipbuilding planning, and the need for timely decisions from the Australian Government to secure workforce stability and infrastructure investments,” a WA Government spokeswoman said.
“We will continue to advocate for opportunities to invest in our globally competitive defence industry sector and provide jobs for West Australians.”
BAE Systems workers stage massive walk-out at Henderson headquarters in fight for pay rises
Peter Hudson: Why the Government needs to revive plans for the Henderson dry dock
The Commonwealth in November announced WA would have a continuous naval shipbuilding industry, potentially creating 800 jobs, after entering a partnership with the Defence Force and Austal.
Austal, Australia’s global shipbuilder, will construct the Army’s Landing Craft Medium and Heavy vessels, with 18 medium vessels designed by Birdon Group to be built at Henderson.
It comes after the defence strategic review last year urged the Federal and WA governments to “actively and urgently” intervene to get the Henderson shipyard up to scratch.
The report stated the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson faced “significant challenges” around shipbuilding, workforce, the facility’s layout and development, and the relationship between all parties involved, including infrastructure, shipbuilders, contractors and workforce providers.
The reporter was a guest of Babcock Australasian.
Article from the "West Australian"
https://www.babcockinternational.com/wh ... e/type-31/
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