The Royal Australian Navy has opened a new simulation facility in Sydney that will enhance training for its technical sailors.
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, officially opened the $90 million Navy Training Systems Centre at Randwick Barracks, and said the purpose-built facility would revolutionize how Navy prepares Marine and Electronic Technicians for their roles in the Fleet.
“This next generation training facility will ensure Navy can fully utilise the extraordinary capabilities of both the Canberra class amphibious ships and the Hobart class destroyers,” Vice Admiral Barrett said.
When fully operational, the center will be able to train up to 300 students at a time, according to the Navy.
Director Navy Modelling and Simulation Office, Captain Jonathan Ley, said that while Navy was a capable and agile war-fighting force, it needed to challenge the status quo, innovate and find better ways of doing business.
“Simulation allows activities to be conducted on demand, in a controlled and repeatable manner while providing near immediate results to support after action review. It is also safe and generally more cost effective,” Captain Ley said.
Vice Admiral Barrett said the use of simulation and task specific training tools would reduce Navy’s need to conduct elements of training at sea, allowing more sea days for advanced group training and to support Government directed operations.