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Perth has played host to two naval industry days this week, focusing on the Future Submarine Program (FSP) and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).
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Yesterday, the Department of Defence, DCNS Australia as the platform system integrator (PSI), and Lockheed Martin Australia as the combat system integrator (CSI) hosted a briefing to update the attendees on the FSP's progress, future development plans and potential engagement opportunities.
DCNS revealed that in Perth they have:
- issued requests for information to 134 companies;
- engaged with 37 companies through Requests for Information; and
- prequalified 16 companies.
DCNS Australia's chief executive Brent Clark said these briefings are still the most successful way for Australian industry to learn about opportunities the program can offer.
“I think it is important for Australian industry to understand that this is a national project. Attending these joint briefings with the Department of Defence and Lockheed Martin is the best way to learn about the opportunities this program has to offer,” said Clark.
Lockheed Martin Australia was also keen to hear from West Australian suppliers, to support their plan to team with Australian companies to provide the engineering capacity needed to support the program.
“To date, we have a number of suppliers from Western Australia registered with us for the Future Submarine Program and we are keen to hear from industry across a range of fields including systems integration, cyber security and hardware engineering,” said Vince Di Pietro, CEO of Lockheed Martin Australia.
“Our approach to supporting sustainable industry development is to invest and grow the capabilities of our local supplier partners to support our global supply chains, providing opportunities for technology transfer, innovation, local skilled jobs and sustainable business growth.”
Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne welcomed the Perth industry day, saying it is crucial part of getting more companies engaged with the program.
“This is a great opportunity for the defence industry in Perth and more broadly across Western Australia to get involved in the Future Submarine Program, a key part of our $89 billion continuous shipbuilding program," said Minister Pyne.
“The industry days have already seen success in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, which have attracted more than 1,200 attendees from Australian companies, research and development institutions and educational organisations.”
The Future Submarine industry briefings will continue around the nation in 2017, with the next briefing scheduled for 10 August 2017 in Hobart.
Meanwhile, German company Lürssen hosted a roadshow in Perth on Tuesday, following on from events in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Lürssen are one of the three companies tendering for the $3 billion OPV contract, along with Fassmer and Damen.
A spokesperson for Lürssen told Defence Connect the roadshows resulted in more than 500 companies attending.
Lürssen's managing director of shipbuilding Dirk Malgowski told Defence Connect he and the company were very satisfied with the results.
"I thought [it was] really amazing and it shows up the level of interest, and I think it's absolutely a win-win," he said.
Australia is currently undertaking an $89 billion investment in naval shipbuilding.
The FSP is valued at $50 billion while the OPV and Future Frigates Program are together worth $39 billion.
