Western Australian shipbuilder Austal has won a further contract with the US Navy to continue construction of the Independence Class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).
The exact value of the award is confidential for competition reasons but falls under the US congressional cost cap of US$584million (A$750 million) per ship.
This is the second LCS vessel to be awarded this year to Austal.
The 127-metre, Frigate-sized LCS30 will be the 15th LCS constructed at Austal’s US shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, and represents a continuing vote of confidence in Australia’s design and ship building capability for large naval vessels.
“Whilst this is a great achievement for Austal, I am also delighted in the vote of confidence this delivers in the Australian industry for shipbuilding and design,” said Austal CEO David Singleton.
“I am particularly impressed by the productivity gains and quality of build that our workforce in Mobile has achieved – what they have delivered over the last few years is nothing short of outstanding.”
Austal USA employs 4,000 people at its headquarters and ship building facility in Mobile while its supplier network includes more than 2,200 businesses across 43 States.
“I look forward to working with the Australian Government in its clear vision for a truly sovereign, and export capable, naval shipbuilding industry based on a continuous build approach,” Singleton said.
“This target is something we are passionate about because of all the job security, education and advanced manufacturing spin offs it will create.”