Long-term frigate maintenance contract to WA

Premier Colin Barnett said a new long-term contract for the maintenance of the ANZAC Class Frigates to be centred in Western Australia, further cemented the State’s role in the sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet.

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“The open-ended sustainment contract has a value of more than $2 billion for the first eight years,” Mr Barnett said.

“This is excellent news and is likely to generate hundreds of jobs for West Australians.

“Companies at the Australian Marine Complex have consistently proven their ability to win and deliver maintenance and upgrade projects for the Navy.  Henderson is one of only two shipbuilding precincts in Australia.”

The Premier said the contract ensured the ANZAC Class Frigates remained a potent capability for the RAN until the Future Frigates, which begin construction in Adelaide in 2020, entered service.

The majority of the work will be undertaken in Henderson at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC), with additional work at Fleet Base East.

Today’s announcement comes after it was revealed earlier this week that WA contractors were expected to benefit from the awarding to a French company, the contract to design 12 new submarines for the Navy.

And last week, the Australian Government announced WA would share the construction of 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels with South Australia and that Henderson-based Austal Ships Pty Ltd was the preferred tenderer to construct and maintain up to 21 replacement steel-hulled Pacific Patrol Boats.

In 2013-14 alone, defence contracts managed at the AMC totalled an estimated $624 million, creating up to 3,000 jobs.

Western Australia is home to about 180 companies with direct defence contracts, of which the majority are small to medium enterprises.