Luerssen has awarded a new contract to Saab for the delivery of the situational awareness system (SAS) for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) new fleet of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
The deal will also see Saab Australia be responsible for the integration of the SAS system, which is based on the company’s 9LV combat management solution.
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The RAN’s new fleet of OPVs will also be equipped with Saab’s lightweight electro-optical fire control director, known as EOS 500.
Saab Australia managing director Andy Keough said: “The development work being undertaken by Saab in Australia will also support export opportunities and position us well for future maritime projects.”
The current contract is expected to continue over the course of the 12-year OPV shipbuilding programme, which will involve the delivery of 12 new vessels to the Australian Navy for a total cost of approximately A$3.6bn ($2.75bn).
Australian Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said: “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.
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By GlobalData“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 SAS development contract has been received by Saab’s Surveillance business segment.
Lürssen was previously awarded a contract in January to lead the design and development of the RAN’s 12 new OPVs.
The OPV project forms part of the Australian Government’s A$89bn ($71.89bn) continuous shipbuilding programme, which is set to involve the delivery of 54 new ships to the Australian Navy.
It is expected to generate approximately 1,000 new employment opportunities, comprising 400 direct jobs and a further 600 across the wider supply chain.
The construction of the first OPV is slated to begin at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia before the end of this year.
