sASC Shipbuilding has awarded a AUD$2.6 million ($1.78 million) contract to BlueScope Steel AIS for Australia’s Hunter-class frigate programme.
BlueScope will provide more than 1,500t of steel plate for the building of five blocks during the prototyping phase of the development, which is scheduled to begin in late 2020.
Craig Lockhart, Managing Director of ASC, said: ‘In awarding this contract to BlueScope Steel AIS, we are confident that we have selected the company with the best capability while meeting our commitments to supporting Australian businesses and maximising Australian industry capability.’
Over 1,100 companies have already been selected to take part in the supply chain for the prototyping phase. Construction of the first Hunter-class vessel, HMAS Flinders, is expected to commence by the end of 2022.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Delays in the construction of the Polar Security Cutter – the future substitute for the Polar Star – are likely to prolong the ageing icebreaker’s service time even more, putting the USCG in a risky position.
The adaptable design of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate, already selected by the UK Royal Navy and Poland, has led to more orders from Indonesia while other countries continue to weigh it up.
The presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf means additional naval and aerial capabilities, which provides the US with multiple attacking options.
The US Navy’s acceleration of its laser weapon development initiatives reflects a decisive shift towards ultimately having a “laser on every ship” across tomorrow’s surface fleet.
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
The US Navy is set to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and autonomy research and development efforts in FY2026 as the force rethinks how it fights in light of China’s naval rise.
Connect with us on socials
