Austal’s shipyards and service centers in Australia have been approved to bid for and provide support services, including ship repairs, maintenance and sustainment activity for US Navy and Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships.
The announcement comes after the Australian shipbuilder signed an agreement of boat repair (ABR) with the navy.
As explained, Austal’s Australian operations may now bid to provide emergent repair services to deployed USN ships, including the Austal-designed and -constructed Independence-class littoral combat ships (LCS).
The ABR also allows Austal to bid for maintenance and repair of MSC ships deployed to the region, to include the Austal designed and constructed Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF) vessels.
“With this approval, Austal can provide a range of vessel repairs, maintenance and in-service support to U.S. Navy and MSC ships operating throughout South East Asia,” Austal Chief Executive David Singleton said.
Specifically, the approval from the US Navy allows Austal to bid for work on US naval vessels that may visit Australia — including Cairns in Queensland, Darwin in the Northern Territory or Fremantle in Western Australia.
Austal has delivered ten Independence-class LCS to the US Navy since 2010 and continues to construct six vessels at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. A total of 19 Independence-class LCS have been contracted, along with 14 Spearhead-class EPF’s, 11 of which have been delivered to the navy.