SAAB signs OPV subcontract creating dozens of jobs

20 Apr 2018 Media release

In another win for Australian defence industry, Lurssen Australia has awarded a subcontract to Saab Australia creating new jobs in South Australia.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced Saab Australia had been chosen to provide the Situational Awareness System for the Royal Australian Navy’s 12 new Offshore Patrol Vessels.

“The System provides the Navy with complete, consistent and up to date situational awareness and mission management using on-board, off-board, and remote data sources,” Minister Pyne said.

“Saab Australia advises it will carry out the work at its Adelaide facilities, which will create up to 50 direct jobs.”

“In more good news, Saab will also contract other Australian companies to fabricate selected components of the system providing a high level of Australian industry participation.”

“The OPVs will also be fitted with Saab’s EOS 500, a lightweight electro-optical fire control director used for observation, target identification and fire control.”

Lurssen Australia is under contract to lead the design and build of 12 OPVs.

The project, which in total is worth around $3.6 billion, will create approximately 1000 jobs - 400 direct and a further 600 in the supply chain.

Construction will commence on the first ship at Osborne Naval Shipyard in SA before the end of the year.

The first two OPVs will be built in SA before the project transitions to WA, where the remaining 10 will be constructed from 2020.