Thales Australia awarded torpedo support contract
The MU90 Light Weight Torpedo is made by a collaboration of Leonardo, Naval Group and Thales. (Photo: Thales Australia)
The Australian Government has awarded Thales Australia a $20m contract to maintain the RAN’s MU90 Light Weight torpedo.
The company welcomed the three-year contract renewal, which will be delivered using 100% Australian industrial capability.
The MU90 Light Weight Torpedo has been in RAN service since 2013. For its entire service, Thales has held the support contract for the weapon.
Price added the award was a demonstration of the ‘Government’s commitment to building our sovereign defence capability,’
Thales says it has built a sovereign industrial capability to ensure Australia can fully support the MU90 torpedo.
Shephard Defence Insight notes the MU90 is manufactured in collaboration between Leonardo, Naval Group and Thales.
Over 1,000 of the fire-and-forget torpedoes have been manufactured, with most procured by NATO member states.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline
Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.
-
Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand
Ukrainian intelligence has catalogued more than 20 Russian uncrewed surface vessels, revealing a portfolio weighted towards mine warfare and logistics, with implications for Western naval investment.
-
Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones
Ukraine’s UForce unveiled the MV11 uncrewed surface vessel, designed to launch and support other naval drones at sea, fuelling debate over the future of autonomous maritime task groups.
-
Global submarine suppliers compete for a rapidly shrinking market
Diminishing submarine competitions worldwide are leaving fewer acquisition opportunities, pushing contractors toward alternatives.