Australia’s Newbuild LHD Enroute Homeport
Australia’s first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship, NUSHIP Canberra has been farewelled from Melbourne as she departs for Sydney. NUSHIP Canberra departed BAE Systems Williamstown shipyard en route to her Sydney homeport. Defense Materiel Organization (DMO) Chief Executive Officer Warren King said this milestone represents the excellent collaboration between the DMO and BAE Systems Australia, as preparations now begin for NUSHIP Canberra’s handover to the Royal Australian Navy. “The voyage from Melbourne to Sydney will mark a milestone for the DMO by delivering the first ship of this kind to the Royal Australian Navy,” King said. The…
Australia, US Order Anti-ship Missile Decoys
Design of the next generation of anti-ship missile decoys is set to commence following the signing of two contracts between the Australian Defense Force and BAE Systems Australia Pty Ltd. Defense Materiel Organization Chief Executive Officer Warren King said the contracts represented continued investment in the jointly developed Australian—United States Nulka capability. “These contracts support both the acquisition of Nulka decoys and the engineering design of the next generation of shipboard Nulka launch systems for the Royal Australian Navy,” he said.
Australia’s HMAS Arunta Returns to Sea
A milestone has been achieved in the Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD) Upgrade Program with HMAS Arunta setting sail for her sea acceptance trials this week. Chief Executive Officer, Defense Materiel Organization (DMO) Warren King and the Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN, together congratulated all those involved in the program. King said the ASMD Project will deliver a capability providing an improved level of self defense against modern anti-ship missiles for the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class frigates.
New Warship Arrives in Melbourne Aboard Blue Marlin
Minister for Defence David Johnston said the second LHD (to be known as 'HMAS Adelaide' once commissioned) was transported from Spain to Australia by a Heavy Lift Ship, 'Blue Marlin'. Blue Marlin has taken eight weeks to travel the 10,000 nautical miles to Melbourne where it will undergo final fitting out. “This is a significant milestone, not just for the Royal Australian Navy but for defence industry here in Melbourne,” Senator Johnston said. “When fitting out is complete, NUSHIP Adelaide and her sister ship NUSHIP Canberra will be the biggest warships ever built for the Navy.
Australia Awards Contract to Support Frigates
Chief Executive Officer of the Defense Materiel Organization (DMO), Warren King, announced that a multimillion dollar contract had been signed with Thales Australia for in-service support on four Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships. Mr. King said the $46 million contract provides support to the Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigate’s (FFG) Combat Systems and offers increased job security to the 48 staff within Thales that have been engaged under the interim contract. “This contract will ensure the FFG Class Combat System, which is among the most capable in the world, is effectively sustained until the RAN transitions to the new Air Warfare Destroyers,” Mr. King said. Mr.
