The Australian government is supporting almost 300 Australian industry jobs as part of a $130 million contract for the sustainment of naval capabilities critical to securing Australia’s sea lines of communication and maritime trade.
Science, engineering and technology firm KBR has been appointed as the Capability Life Cycle Manager for Navy’s amphibious and replenishment ships. This announcement builds on the Albanese Government’s commitment to support local defence jobs by ensuring Australia has the capability to sustain Navy’s amphibious and replenishment ships into the future. The contract will see KBR sustain Navy’s Canberra class landing helicopter docks, Supply class auxiliary oilers and landing ship dock, HMAS Choules – all at Sydney’s Garden Island Defence Precinct.
This is the first appointment of a multi-class Capability Life Cycle Manager. Appointing a multi-class Capability Life Cycle Manager will more effectively meet capability requirements, best manage resources, and provide value for money and consistency between like asset classes for Defence. The appointment of Capability Life Cycle Managers is part of Defence’s new national approach to sustaining and optimising Navy’s ability to operate in our immediate region. For industry, it provides greater certainty of work and allows industry to invest and grow their businesses, providing greater depth and regional capacity and capability.
Together, these projects will create around 70 new direct jobs, and more than 200 indirect jobs throughout the supply chain.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “The sustainment of Navy’s amphibious and replenishment ships into the future is critical to securing Australia’s maritime trade and safeguarding Australians and their economic interests. Growing our sovereign naval shipbuilding industrial capability is not just good for jobs, it’s imperative for our national security. The Albanese Government is focused on making it easier for local industry to partner with Defence, and this partnership with KBR will help to do that.”
Vice President Government Solutions APAC at BMR Nic Maan said: “The depth of knowledge and experience of supporting the Amphibious and Replenishment fleet in our team is measured in decades and reflects our ambition to provide both fleet availability and capability required by the Navy. Combining the unique capabilities and skills of our team will provide strategic asset management services that ensure Navy gets the most out of these ships throughout their life of type. The CLCM model is one that fosters a more collaborative and transparent approach between the RAN, KBR and our team, reflecting the aspiration of Defence’s Plan Galileo and the Maritime Sustainment Model.”
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