Civmec hosts Japanese bidders for Australian submarine build

Australian defence contractor Civmec has hosted a delegation of Japanese representatives aiming to land the Australian $50 billion submarine build.

Hoping to bring the build of Australia’s future submarine project to Western Australia, Civmec welcomed eight members of a technical evaluation team from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at its Henderson facility.

The team was headed by Akifumi Terada and Noboru Flores (Vice President & Executive Adviser Integrated Defense and Space Systems).

In addition to being shown through the heavy engineering facility, the delegation inspected the submarine hull section which was constructed late last year as a demonstration of the Australian company’s capacities. Civmec did the same thing last year with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, the German representative in the submarine bid.

The Australian company said it has had significant engagement with all three bidders seeking to manage the contract to design and build Australia’s future submarine.

Civmec Executive Chairman, Jim Fitzgerald, said: “We have the capability to be the in-country builder for whichever designer is successful in winning this multi-billion dollar contract. The project represents a significant opportunity, not just for Civmec but for Western Australia. It has the potential to create up to 1,000 jobs and bring a major new industry to our State.”

The company further said its representatives were invited to visit Mitsubishi’s facilities in Kobe, Japan next month for additional discussions.