Australian air warfare destroyers removed from “Projects of Concern” list

The Australian government on Thursday announced that the Air Warfare Destroyer project was removed from the Projects of Concern list due to continuing improvements in shipbuilding performance.

Following an independent review by Professor Don Winter and Dr John White and a review by the Australian National Audit Office, the project was placed on the Projects of Concern list in June 2014 due to increasing commercial, schedule and cost risks.

The subsequent reform program resulted in Navantia being contracted in December 2015 to provide shipbuilding management services to the project.

Australian defense minister, Senator Marise Payne said the recent commissioning of HMAS Hobart demonstrates the program’s maturity.

“HMAS Hobart has been commissioned into service, marking a step change in Navy’s ability to fight and win at sea,” said Minister Payne.

“The two destroyers, Brisbane and Sydney, are both on track to be delivered against the reformed schedule and set to add to Navy’s capabilities.”

The Air Warfare Destroyer project joins the Collins-class submarine project in coming off the Projects of Concern list in the past six months.