On 21 June construction commenced on the first Hunter class frigate. This major milestone was marked by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Premier of South Australia cutting the first piece of steel to be used in the Hunter. The piece of steel cut forms part of the under structure support for the port side propeller shaft brake system. Based on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, the first four of which are under construction at BAE Systems’ site in Glasgow, UK.
Ben Hudson, Chief Executive Officer, BAE Systems Australia said at the ceremony, “This is a proud moment for all of us at BAE Systems Australia and it comes at a time when the capability of Hunter has never been more important. Hunter will be one of the most technologically advanced, stealth-capable anti-submarine warfare vessels in the world and its modular mission bay allows it to undertake a wide-range of missions from warfare to humanitarian and disaster relief.”
The contract for the construction phase for the first three Hunter class frigates has now been signed by Defence and BAE Systems Australia, with the first Hunter class expected to be operational in 2034. The construction phase of the six Hunter class ships will run for 20 years. At its peak this program will support around 3,000 direct jobs and will support a further 5,000 indirect jobs across the Australian supply chain.
The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles said, “This first milestone is not just about cutting steel; we are supporting Australian workers to build frigates in an Australian yard, supporting Australian industry. Continuous naval shipbuilding is how Australia will grow its shipbuilding and sustainment workforce, industry, and infrastructure. This milestone exemplifies our government’s commitment to deliver continuous naval shipbuilding in South Australia and a future made in Australia, by Australians.
For his part the Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas said, “This is a momentous day for our state. The construction of the frigates locks in a pipeline of continuous naval shipbuilding in South Australia, delivering thousands of secure, well paid jobs for generations to come. This delivery of frigates alongside SSN-AUKUS submarines puts South Australia front and centre in the most crucial of national endeavors. It also represents a step change in our state’s economic complexity, which will help improve the standard of living for South Australians more broadly.”
The winner of this year’s ANI McNeil Prize, Mr Craig Lockhart, Managing Director, BAE Systems Australia – Maritime, said: “We already have a head-start on the construction of the first Hunter class frigate, with six schedule protection blocks already in production approved under the design and productionisation phase as part of the risk mitigation strategy. This program has always been more than just building ships, we have created world-leading facilities, a vibrant supply chain ready to step up to full rate of production and a workforce that is proving it can produce the highest quality shipbuilding products that can compete anywhere. This moment has been a long time in the making and it has been a tremendous journey so far, but we have demonstrated that together with our partners, suppliers and the great team both here at Osborne and in the UK, we are up to the task and raring to go.”
Sources: ADF & BAE Systems
