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Liferaft Systems Australia (LSA) has been specified to supply marine evacuation systems (MES) for each of Australia’s Hunter Class Global Combat Ships,worth approximately $10 million.
Tasmania-based LSA has already successfully contracted with BAE Systems UK to provide MES for the first batch of three Type 26 Global Combat Ships (GCS) for the UK Department of Defence. The Hunter Class ships for the Australian Navy are based on the Type 26 GCS.
LSA currently employs 70 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, with this contract likely to increase the staff at the Derwent Park facility to around 80 to accommodate the new project.
“There will be two 11-metre inflatable evacuation slides with 115-person liferafts attached and two 14-metre evacuation slides with a 115-person liferaft attached. The contract will be completed over about 10 years," said LSA managing director Mike Grainger.
Tasmanian defence advocate Rear Admiral (Ret'd) Steve Gilmore congratulated LSA and highlighted his recognition of the considerable capabilities that are resident in the state and now being more routinely chosen by primes.
Grainger said, “When built, the new vessels will be the first class operating in the Royal Australian Navy to have LSA MES installed. We look forward to working closely with BAE Systems Australia to supply our world-class product to one of the world’s best shipbuilders and navies."
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