The Navantia SAGE Automation Group (NSAG) has secured a $2.8 million contract for the supply of integrated platform management systems (IPMS) to Spanish shipbuilder Navantia.
Image credit: www.gotosage.com
The IMPS, a key system for any naval platform, will be installed on two auxiliary oiler and replenishment (AOR) vessels the Royal Australian Navy which are currently under construction in Spain.
This contract award marks the third project secured by NSAG, which is a joint venture between privately-owned South Australian manufacturer SAGE Automation and Navantia Australia.
SAGE Automation CEO, Adrian Fahey said the IPMS panels will be manufactured and tested in the company’s centre of excellence in Adelaide and exported to Ferrol, Spain where the two RAN Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Ships are being built.
“NSAG has the capability, resources and commitment to remain a key member of the local supply chain for naval shipbuilding and ongoing support in Australia,” Mr Fahey said.
“This successful partnership has been a catalyst in our diversification to become an advanced manufacturer, which is enabling us to compete globally and support other Australian businesses to do the same.”
Navantia Australia Managing Director Fransisco Barón said the agreement creates a global in-country capability to provide IPMS for Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
“NSAG will play a critical role in continuing to develop skills to support the naval shipbuilding industry into the future as we support the Government’s naval shipbuilding enterprise,” he remarked.
“The NSAG joint venture between Navantia Australia and SAGE Automation is a key partnership which Navantia Australia has undertaken to help grow Australian skills and capacity to contribute to the defence industry.”
Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith noted that the NSAG contract follows the recent announcement that Boeing will create 250 highly-skilled technical and advanced research jobs in its new South Australian hub.
“This latest win for SAGE Automation and Navantia Australia is another example of South Australia’s capability to develop and export high-tech solutions and applications to the world,” the Minister stated.
“Contracts such as this with Navantia further strengthen our local capability in naval automation and monitoring and create a footprint for future Royal Australian Navy platforms.”
The project – scheduled to start in June 2017 – is expected to complete in two years. On completion, NSAG will provide IPMS platform support under a five-year support contract.
