As part of the seven-and-a-half-year deal — signed by the Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Kevin Short, and Babcock’s New Zealand general manager, James Morton, in Wellington — Babcock will be tasked with providing asset management services to the entire Royal New Zealand Navy.

The work includes engineering, project management, production and operational support.  

Babcock Australasia CEO David Ruff welcomed the opportunity to extend the company’s sustainment partnership with the NZ Navy.   

“This award is a further demonstration of our commitment to continue to strengthen the breadth of our support to regional maritime capability in New Zealand, Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region,” Ruff said.

AIRMSHL Short lauded Babcock’s collaborative approach to the sustainment program.

“One of the unique elements of the contract is that these services are delivered by a team comprised of Babcock employees, Royal New Zealand Navy personnel and NZDF civilians,” he said.

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“This partnership has been recently acknowledged through an award at both the Minister of Defence Excellence Awards, and the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation Awards.”

Morton noted the importance of the project’s environmental and social focus.

“Babcock is aiming for our New Zealand operations to be one of the first carbon-zero dockyards in the world,” he said.

Over 100 early career STEM apprentices and graduates are expected to be trained over the course of the new contract, with Babcock also committed to bolstering its local supply chain.

“Babcock is focused on building long-term partnerships with the New Zealand supply chain, and in particular developing long-term relationships with Māori and Pasifika businesses,” Morton added.

“Our supply chain partners are key to our capability and our focus on delivering for our customer. We are looking forward to continuing our productive and valued relationships with them.”

 [Related: Babcock Australasia to host showcase for LAND 125]