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German firm to build Australian patrol boats

German shipbuilder Lurssen has been named the main contractor and designer for Australia’s $4 billion offshore patrol vessel project, with construction to begin at ASC in Adelaide towards the end of next year.

Nov 24, 2017, updated Nov 24, 2017
Naval officers listen to PM Malcolm Turnbull during the announcement of the winning bid to build the Offshore Patrol Vessels at the Department of Defence in Canberra. Photo: AAP

Naval officers listen to PM Malcolm Turnbull during the announcement of the winning bid to build the Offshore Patrol Vessels at the Department of Defence in Canberra. Photo: AAP

Lurssen’s bid was successful in a three-way race against another German designer Fassmer and Dutch firm Damen.

The 12 new vessels will replace the existing Armidale Class patrol boats.

While the first two boats will be built in Adelaide at ASC’s Osborne shipyard, the remainder will be put together in Henderson, Western Australia, from 2020 – when the construction of the future frigates begins.

ASC Chair Bruce Carter said the announcement was “recognition of the high performance of ASC Shipbuilding and the strong turnaround in its performance on the Air Warfare Destroyer program since 2014”.

“Today’s announcement marks a new era for the company as it moves forward to its second major warship construction project and a sustainable future,” he said.

Making the announcement in Canberra today, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull enthused: “Australian jobs, Australian workers, Australian steel, for Australia’s navy, to keep Australia safe in these times of greater risk and greater challenge.”

The split build was designed to avoid the so-called “valley of death” in South Australian shipbuilding, when expertise and jobs are lost between major projects.

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne denied the move would add time, cost and risk to the project, insisting it was an “intelligent” approach to grow a sovereign Australian shipbuilding industry.

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“We want to use all the available resources to us and maximise the Australian involvement in that major project,” he said.

Defence Force chief Mark Binskin said the announcement marked a great milestone in Australia’s capability.

The new ships, which can remain at sea for longer, will improve the Navy’s contribution to maritime patrols and missions in the region.

“The vessel is one of the most capable OPV in the world today, and it will meet all of the needs that we have,” Binskin said.

-AAP

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