Two Australian companies have been included in a procurement bid led by the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia for the Canadian Surface Combatant program.
If successful, CEA Technologies will supply world-class radar technology while SAAB Australia will deliver combat system integration capabilities.
“The inclusion of both these companies and their technologies in Navantia’s bid is a vote of confidence in the capabilities of Australia’s defence industry,” said Defence Industry minister Christopher Pyne.
“It demonstrates confidence in the Australian Government’s commitment to building a sovereign shipbuilding industry.
“Our $90 billion investment in naval shipbuilding acquisition will provide Australian businesses with the chance to hone their capabilities and pursue export opportunities, just like CEA and SAAB Australia. Industry advises that, collectively, this contract could be worth billions of dollars for Australian industry, and create hundreds of jobs in Australia
“SAAB Australia prequalified for the Combat System Integrator role. Their success in doing so shows the expertise of Australia’s defence workforce and the capabilities it develops.”
Industry has advised that, if successful this will represent billions of dollars of export opportunities for Australia, and will create hundreds of jobs”, Minister Pyne said.
CEA Technologies and SAAB Australia consistently provide high quality capabilities for the Royal Australian Navy and I welcome their collaboration on this project for Canada.
“As I discussed during my visit to Ottawa in April 2017 with the Hon Harjit Sajjan, Canadian Minister for National Defence and my call last month with the Hon Carla Qualtrough, the new Minister for Public Services and Procurement; CEA Technologies and SAAB Australia consistently provide high quality capabilities for the Royal Australian Navy and I welcome their collaboration on this project for Canada,” Pyne said.
“If successful, this export opportunity will not only support the growth of Australia’s defence industry, it will also enhance the interoperability and relationship between Australia’s and Canada’s defence forces.”
Under the Canadian Surface Combatant program, the Royal Canadian Navy is planning to acquire 15 frigates with construction to begin in the early 2020s.