Industry invited to regional Naval Shipbuilding briefings

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Minister Pyne MP, today announced seven Naval Shipbuilding Industry briefings would be held across regional Australia.

Minister Pyne said these briefings would provide regional Australians with an opportunity to learn more about the Government’s $89 billion national shipbuilding endeavour.

“The industry briefings will focus on the next generation of naval surface ships; specifically the Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessels, which represent a $39 billion investment by the Australian Government,” he said.

“The Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessel programs will directly create over 2500 jobs for Australians indirectly supporting the jobs of many thousands more.

“To ensure this occurs, it is critical that we provide Australian companies with opportunities to enter the supply chain.

“Where possible and practical, Australian companies should have the opportunity to benefit from the economic advantages of a thriving domestic defence sector.

“Importantly, this will contribute to the ability of the Australian Defence Force to respond to our national security requirements,” Minister Pyne said.

Industry participants will be provided high level updates on the progress of the two shipbuilding programs and how they can get involved through registering with the newly-launched Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC).

“The CDIC is a partnership between Defence and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science to support Australian industry by offering practical advice and assistance needed to work with Defence,” Minister Pyne said.

“Almost 400 businesses have registered for shipbuilding updates through CDIC’s portal to date.”

The Future Frigate program will replace eight ANZAC class ships with nine future frigates, while the Offshore Patrol Vessel program is replacing thirteen Armidale Class Patrol Boats with twelve Offshore Patrol Vessels.

The Offshore Patrol Vessels are due to begin construction Adelaide in 2018 and will move production to Henderson, Western Australia in 2020.

The Future Frigate program is slated to begin construction in 2020 in Adelaide.

Regional briefings will be held in the following locations:

• · Geelong - 7 April 2017
• · Geraldton - 11 April 2017
• · Nowra - 11 April 2017
• · Bunbury - 12 April 2017
• · Whyalla - 4 May 2017
• · Newcastle - TBC
• · Cairns - TBC

To attend one of these briefing please register at:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/department-of-defence-11842283748

Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessel programs:

http://www.defence.gov.au/casg/EquippingDefence/SEA5000PH1_FutureFrigates

Centre for Defence Industry Capability’s services:
http://www.business.gov.au/cdic