Collaboration agreement sets stage for Australia’s Hobart-class destroyer combat system upgrade

The stage is now set for a significant leap in the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) combat capabilities, as a landmark delivery tasking statement has officially launched the upgrade of the Hobart-class guided missile destroyers’ combat systems.

The Combat Systems Integration – Integrated Project Team (CSI-IPT), formed by the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by Defence, BAE Systems Australia, Saab Australia, and Lockheed Martin Australia, was established under the Collaboration Agreement (CCA). The partners now signed the first delivery tasking statement.

Through this agreement, the CSI-IPT will upgrade the Aegis combat system, introduce Saab’s new Australian interface (AI), and incorporate the Tomahawk weapon system on the first of the RAN’s three Hobart-class destroyers.

A team of more than 130 defense and industry personnel in Adelaide and Melbourne will deliver integration, testing, assessment, installation, and certification of the combat system.

“By consolidating the unique capabilities and skillsets from across our partner companies, the CSI-IPT will ensure the Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment enterprise in Australia is ready to support complex warships,” Geoff Stephens, CSI-IPT CSI Manager, said.

“We are proud to partner, through the CSI-IPT, with the Royal Australian Navy and industry to upgrade the Aegis Combat System baseline technology across the Hobart Class surface fleet, a force multiplier across the Indo-Pacific.,” Warren McDonald, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, Chief Executive, added.

“Working together as one team ensures three of Australia’s largest defence industry primes are united in one shared goal to equip the Royal Australian Navy with advanced capability. This marks a key milestone in the delivery of capability by the CSI-IPT, with much more to come on the horizon across the Hobart Class and Hunter Class – the core of Australia’s current and future surface fleet,” Paul Berryman, BAE Systems Australia – Maritime, Acting Managing Director, noted.

“This collaborative team of leading defence technology partners combined with sovereign Australian integration capabilities will significantly enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) ability to deter, protect and defend,” Andy Keough CSC, Saab Australia, Managing Director, concluded.