Naval Ship Management (NSM), an existing joint venture between Babcock and UGL, has been awarded the support and sustainment program for two Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs) at the Garden Island Defence Precinct in NSW, following a competitive bidding process.
The announcement made today by the Australian Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, confirmed NSM was selected by the Australian Defence Force to sustain and support two LHDs and twelve LHD Landing Crafts (LLCs) for a period of 15 years. The availability and reliability of these flagship vessels are critical to the Australian defence strategy.
The program is scheduled to commence from 1 July 2019 after an initial six-month phase-in period starting in January 2019, and will support over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across Australia. Sustaining Australian industry and building local capability, was a key point of difference in this contract.
Royal Australian Navy’s Landing Helicopter Dock. Photo Credit: Royal Australian Navy
The program is scheduled to commence from 1 July 2019 after an initial six-month phase-in period starting in January 2019, and will support over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across Australia. Sustaining Australian industry and building local capability, was a key point of difference in this contract.Babcock Australasia CEO, David Ruff, said, “Winning this work confirms the value that Babcock adds to the sustainment and operational availability of a number of key ADF capabilities. Through NSM, we will apply Babcock’s digitally enabled asset management capabilities to ensure that this prestigious flagship capability of the Royal Australian Navy is sustained at the levels that Defence requires.”
NSM’s General Manager Joe Smith.
Joe Smith, General Manager of NSM, said:“Naval Ship Management is very proud to have been selected for this critical long-term responsibility. Working with the Australian Defence Force, we will bring our culture of responsiveness, transparency and collaboration to the job. Above all, we are committed to the sustainment and safety of the operations.”
Within the program, NSM has committed to supporting the capability and growth of Australia’s SME defence industry. NSM will engage with new and existing Australian suppliers, providing increased opportunities and further engagement of small-to-medium sized businesses in the Australian maritime industry.
Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said, “Naval Ship Management has a proven track record within similar sustainment programs, with proven performance in innovation, collaboration and building the Australian workforce capability.”
The win is the latest in a number of significant contracts for Babcock. Over the last 12 months, Babcock has been awarded significant contracts for the Australian Defence Force Ground Support Equipment, Metropolitan Fire Services SA Asset Management and Marine Pilot Transfer in Newcastle.