RAN awards frigate support contract to NSM

Naval Ship Management (NSM), a joint venture between Babcock and UGL, has been awarded a five year agreement to provide maintenance support services to the Royal Australian Navy, Babcock announced on 3 January.

Under the agreement worth around AUD$200 million, NSM will deliver engineering services for the sustainment of the eight Anzac-class frigates as part of the long term Australian Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA).

The WAMA programme is a strategic partnership between NSM, BAE Systems, Saab and the Australian government designed to ensure the service life of the frigates until at least 2031.

The work will start in January 2018 and NSM will undertake the planning, scheduling, management and execution of preventative and corrective maintenance for the Anzac fleet and its system support facilities on the East and West Coast of Australia. NSM will also be responsible for the delivery of maintenance, including provision of an integrated schedule and elements of logistics supply.

Archie Bethel, CEO, Babcock, said: ‘I am delighted that we have successfully achieved the next stage of the contract to look after Australia's Anzac fleet. Babcock has a long and successful history of working with the Australian navy and we look forward to continuing that relationship over the next 14 years.’