Government plans $75 billion for maritime capabilities

The Australian government said Wednesday (1 July) it is investing $75 billion in Australia’s maritime capabilities over the next decade including more than $50 billion in the regeneration and expansion of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) maritime platforms through the naval shipbuilding enterprise. The investment builds on the government’s 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan and will enhance Australia’s war fighting capabilities across its operations. Following the announcement of additional acquisition and upgrade plans in the 2020 Force Structure Plan, the Naval Shipbuilding Plan now encompasses over 70 vessels to be built in Australia, with more opportunities in the future. Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said as the future geo-strategic environment evolves, so must Defence’s plans to grow, update and evolve its naval force. “For our Navy, the five cornerstones of contemporary naval power – strategic deterrence, sea control, decisive lethality, projection of power ashore and naval presence – remain central to our force design,” Reynolds said. “Through our Naval Shipbuilding Plan we are delivering the ADF with a truly world-class maritime capability to protect maritime trade and the region’s security and prosperity. Under the Naval Shipbuilding Plan, the Government will invest up to $183 billion in naval shipbuilding between now and the 2050s, through building or upgrading up to 23 different class of vessels for Navy and Army. With 15,000 new Australian jobs set to be created under the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan, this number will now grow even more with new opportunities being created for Australian defence industry to benefit from.” Consistent with the government’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan, Defence will continue with the build of: 12 Attack Class submarines; Nine Hunter Class Frigates; 12 Arafura Offshore Patrol Vessel; 21 Guardian Class Pacific Patrol Boats. Through the Force Structure Plan, the government will be investing in the following additional shipbuilding programs: Six new Cape Class Patrol Boats built in Western Australia; Up to eight new mine countermeasure and hydrographic survey vessels built in Australia, with consideration for the vessels to be based on Navy’s Arafura design; Two new Australian-built multi-role Sea-Lift and Replenishment ships; A replacement for the Young Endeavour youth scheme sail training vessel, built in Australia; Replacements for the Navy landing craft, carried by the LHD; A new vessel to support the Pacific Step-Up, built in Australia, the replacement for ADV Ocean Protector; A large Salvage and Repair vessel; The build of Army landing craft and Riverine Patrol Vessels. Since the release of the Naval Shipbuilding Plan, the government has already begun the construction of nine new vessels at Henderson and Osborne, and has delivered six Guardian Class Patrol Boats to six different Pacific Island countries. The government said it will also continue to invest in: New upgrades to the Hobart Class Destroyers, ANZAC Class Frigates and Navy’s Amphibious ships; The design of the future Destroyer; as well as upgrades and life extension to the Collins Class submarines. In support of Defence’s undersea combat and surveillance capability, next generation systems including large un-crewed submersibles and undersea surveillance vessels are proposed. Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds. (PHOTO: Government File Photo) “This government will continue to grow a strong industrial base with the necessary supplies, resilience and technological edge to effectively respond to challenges in our region,” Reynolds said. “The 2020 Force Structure Plan provides a schedule of future replacement, acquisition and assurance projects for the next 20 years and beyond. This will ensure Australian industry understands our Government’s clear objective to build a globally competitive sovereign shipbuilding network that can pursue untapped export opportunities.” To support a larger and expanded fleet, up to $12 billion will be invested in developing the infrastructure necessary to support the capabilities of our naval fleet during construction, operation and sustainment.  This includes expanded undersea warfare facilities, a new Army watercraft base and upgrades to key port and docking facilities. To sustain the country’s sovereign naval capabilities, the future of maritime sustainment in Australia is set to change, with a new plan to maximise Australian Industry Capability in defence industry’s national supply chain. Navy’s recently announced Plan Galileo will further lay the foundations for an integrated, consistent approach to maritime sustainment by leveraging the opportunities made available through the Government’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan. “Plan Galileo will ensure that the skills and equipment needed to sustain our Navy are available in the right place, at the right time,” Reynolds said. “Central to this plan is the development of Regional Maintenance Centres in strategic locations across Australia, bringing together Defence, primes, small business and service providers, and education organisations.” Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the new plans represent a significant investment in Australian defence industry. “Building on our earlier commitments, these new naval vessels to be built right here in Australia will further strengthen our shipbuilding capability,” Price said. “We’re talking about a generation of Australian jobs, and a substantial level of Australian industry involvement in these major acquisitions. We’re investing not only in the safety and security of Australia, but also in an Australian shipbuilding capability which represents thousands of opportunities for businesses right across the country.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]