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Thales Australia and Austal have signed a new strategic partnership to deliver maritime capability for Australia and New Zealand.
Both companies signed the memorandum of understanding aboard the historic HMAS Vampire at the Australian National Maritime Museum during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition.
The strategic partnership is designed to bring together the two trusted maritime defence companies to deliver powerful future maritime capabilities for Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
The partnership will focus on four key areas, including shipbuilding, maritime autonomy, international markets and sustainment across Australia’s surface and undersea fleets.
“This partnership solidifies the collaborative relationship between Austal and Thales and ensures we are able to leverage the expertise and resources of both companies to deliver integrated solutions and ensure strategic leadership,” Thales Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer Jeff Connolly said.
“It is an opportunity to develop cutting-edge maritime capabilities and enhance operational capability to meet the rapidly changing demands of modern naval operations.
“Under the MOU, we’re bringing advanced technology and the highest performance vessels together to reshape the future of maritime security, through innovation, collaboration and a deep understanding of the evolving maritime environment.”
Under the agreement, Thales Australia and Austal will incorporate Thales technologies into Austal platforms in the Indo-Pacific market, develop new maritime capabilities for the Indo-Pacific market, and collaborate on the development and integration of maritime autonomous systems to meet the future needs of Australia, New Zealand and the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the agreement, Thales Australia and Austal will develop and build maritime capabilities to meet the future requirements for the Royal New Zealand Navy and strengthen regional sustainment across Australia, New Zealand and the Indo-Pacific.
“As Australia’s strategic shipbuilder, Austal is proud to partner with Thales to strengthen our nation’s sovereign maritime capability,” Austal Limited chief executive officer Paddy Gregg said.
“By combining Austal’s proven shipbuilding expertise with Thales’ world-leading technology and integration capabilities, we are strengthening Australia’s ability to design, build and sustain the next generation of naval vessels right here at home.
“Together, we will deliver innovative, export-ready solutions that not only enhance regional maritime security but also create high-skilled Australian jobs and enduring industrial capability across the Indo-Pacific.”
