ASC welcomes the Australian Federal Government’s decision to address capability issues for the Royal Australian Navy and to begin the long-term revitalisation of naval shipbuilding nationally.
Equally, ASC strongly supports the Federal Government’s decision to accelerate the Future Frigate program and its commitment to fund engineering and design work which will further strengthen Australia’s domestic ship-building capacity.
ASC is focused on ensuring the global competitiveness of Australia’s shipbuilding industry and the valuable contribution it makes to the nation’s skills base and its economy. ASC is also committed to demonstrating that the Future Frigate program can be executed to the quality and cost their customer expects and requires.
The decision to give first pass approval for a tender process involving two design options for auxiliary ships recognises the value of the original solution identified by ASC to best meet the RAN’s requirements. The Ageir 18A design and proposition was developed in 2013 by ASC with partners BMT Design and DSME. They look forward to continuing their relationship with these partners.
As well as providing the required capability for the RAN, constructing auxiliary ships also provided one opportunity for ASC to maintain their Adelaide workforce.
ASC will continue working with the Federal Government to understand future opportunities to retain that key shipbuilding workforce and capability.
[mappress] Press Release, June 9, 2014; Image: ASC