The Turnbull Government has announced the build locations for 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels and up to 21 Pacific Patrol Boats, in addition to nine Future Frigates previously announced.
According to the press release by the Department of Defence Ministers, major warships will be built in Adelaide and minor vessels in Henderson, Western Australia.
“These announcements provide for two shipyards to implement the Government’s commitment to a continuous build of naval surface ships in Australia,” reads the press release.
“These three projects will ensure Australia retains a sovereign capability to build and sustain its naval vessels. Together they represent close to $40 billion worth of investment in Australia’s future naval capabilities and our naval shipbuilding industry. They will directly secure more than 2,500 jobs for decades to come. They will also generate thousands of additional jobs with suppliers.”
Prime Minister Turnbull said construction of the Offshore Patrol Vessels will begin in Adelaide from 2018, following the completion of the Air Warfare Destroyers and transfer to Western Australia when the Future Frigate construction begins in Adelaide in 2020.
He said three designers have been shortlisted for the Offshore Patrol Vessels, including Damen of the Netherlands, and Germany’s Fassmer and Lurssen.
“This program is estimated to be worth more than $3 billion and will create over 400 direct jobs, Mr Turnbull added.
He said three designers – BAE Systems with the Type 26 Frigate; Fincantieri with the FREMM Frigate, and Navantia with a redesigned F100 – have been short-listed for the construction of the Future Frigates, which will also be built in Adelaide, incorporating the Australian-developed CEA Phased-Array Radar.
“This program is estimated to be worth more than $35 billion, and will directly create over 2000 jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr Turnbull said Austal Ships Pty Ltd has been selected as the preferred tenderer to construct and maintain up to twenty-one replacement steel-hulled Pacific Patrol Boats in Henderson, Western Australia.
“Subject to negotiations, this program is estimated to be worth more than $500 million and will directly create over 130 jobs,” Mr Turnbull said.
