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
-
Indo Pacific 2025: Australian Defence Force sets its sights on autonomy
Multiple autonomous systems and technologies were on display at this year’s Indo Pacific, but questions remain over how the Australian Department of Defence will balance the books.
-
How the UK Royal Navy is powering up its hybrid fleet to combat new threats
Since it announced its move towards a new “hybrid navy” earlier this year, the force has announced a number of new uncrewed technologies in the works.
-
US and UK to begin Trident II D5 Increment 8 in October 2026
Trident II D5 Increment 8 will involve improvements to the shipboard navigation subsystem for the US Ohio and Columbia and the UK Dreadnought and Vanguard submarine classes.
-
What capabilities has the US deployed in the Caribbean and South America to engage “drug boats”?
The US arsenal includes amphibious assault and littoral combat ships, cutters, destroyers, landing platform docks, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, drones, ISR aircraft, helicopters and fighters.
-
HMS Agamemnon: details of the dive and what the Astute-class signifies for the UK Royal Navy
As HMS Agamemnon moves closer towards joining the UK’s in-service submarine fleet, how does the sixth Astute-class fit into the Royal Navy’s defence strategy?