THE Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP has congratulated the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance in achieving an important milestone in the AWD project with the selection of Ultra Electronics as the preferred supplier of the sonar system for the AWDs.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ultra Electronics for being selected to supply this key capability for Australia’s future AWDs,” Fitzgibbon said.
Following a rigorous tender process, Fitzgibbon was advised by the CEO of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), Dr Stephen Gumley and the Chief of the Capability Development Group, Vice Admiral Matt Tripovich, that the selection of Ultra Electronics will ensure the AWDs are equipped with a sonar system that provides excellent anti-submarine and torpedo defence capability.
“The selection of the sonar system is a key milestone for the AWD Alliance and represents the first of a series of important equipment selections the team will make in the next few months,” Fitzgibbon said.
“I also note Ultra Electronics has committed to undertake more than 50 per cent of its AWD sonar systems work in Australia, which represents a great result for Australian Industry.”
The AWD Alliance will shortly be issuing Requests for Tender to selected companies for work on the ships’ hull blocks, as well as work on other elements of the ships’ combat systems.
As one of the largest and most complex defence acquisition programs currently underway in Australia, Fitzgibbon said the Government was closely monitoring the progress of the AWD project and the AWD Alliance.
The AWD Alliance includes DMO, Raytheon Australia and the Australian Submarine Corporation.
.jpg)
.png){kind=small}
