The prime will be responsible for the implementation of Plan Galileo, a nationally integrated sustainment environment, which aims to provide affordable, reliable and fit for purpose systems and ships to the RAN.

“As the OPV capability life cycle manager, Raytheon Australia will be leveraging our experience in complex program management for Australia’s defence to provide specialist services to support the planning, assurance and optimisation of the through life sustainment of the OPVs,” Raytheon Australia managing director Michael Ward said.

“We will also support the development of an Australian supply chain for the OPVs, ensuring a sovereign industrial capability is formed as each of the OPVs progress from acquisition to sustainment.

“This is not a traditional maritime sustainment role, rather it is the first step towards a nationally integrated sustainment environment for Australia and the implementation of the Royal Australian Navy’s Plan Galileo.”

The Arafura Class OPV is a multipurpose warship, designed to replace the Armidale Class patrol boats.

The first Arafura Class vessel, HMAS Arafura, is set to enter service in 2022.

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Raytheon’s team in Adelaide will support the first two OPVs as they transition into service, with the remaining 10 vessels supported from Henderson, Western Australia.

Raytheon claimed it would seek to “drive and enhance” opportunities for Australian SMEs when delivering services under the new contract, through domestic sourcing recommendations and promotion of local industry development. 

“We have the experience and know-how to ensure the OPV’s successfully transition from their acquisition to support phase using proven skills and processes to promote an enterprise environment,” Ward added.

“We have held a long-standing and successful relationship with the Royal Australian Navy.

“We look forward to working with them closely to establish a whole-of-life capability for the Arafura Class OPVs.”

[Related: Arafura OPV program strengthens Australian industry foundations]

Charbel Kadib

News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.