The Federal Government has down-selected two shipbuilders, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, to progress designs for Australia’s general purpose frigates.
The first three general purpose frigates will be built offshore and, successful and timely consolidation of the Henderson precinct will enable the remainder of the build to be constructed locally at Henderson.
The general purpose frigate program is part of the Federal Government’s plan to ensure the Navy is equipped with a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet.
“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring our Navy is equipped with a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet, and the general purpose frigate program is a key aspect of this,” said prime minister, Anthony Albanese.
“We acknowledge the extraordinary achievement of each of these companies in manufacturing platforms recognised by the Independent Analysis Team as the best of their kind.”
In May, Defence released an approach to market to five shipbuilders of the exemplar platforms identified by the Independent Analysis of Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
Defence will now work with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Australian industry partners to develop the proposals for the Mogami and MEKO A-200 frigates.
The proposals reflect the sophistication and maturity of the companies involved and the defence industries of Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Spain.
The Federal Government is investing up to $55 billion over the decade, including up to $10 billion for the general purpose frigates.
Australia’s new general purpose frigates will replace the Anzac Class frigates and will be equipped for undersea warfare and local air defence.
The construction of general purpose frigates at the Henderson Defence Precinct is part of the Albanese Government’s plan to invest tens of billions of dollars in defence capabilities in Western Australia. This is set to – over the next two decades – support in the order of 10,000 well-paid, high-skilled local jobs.
Defence will engage closely with the down-selected shipbuilders to progress this program and ensure Australia’s first general purpose frigate is delivered this decade.
The decision to progress the Mogami and MEKO A-200 designs was informed by a rigorous evaluation by Defence that identified these designs as likely to best meet Australia’s capability requirements.