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Australia contracts for ANZAC-class frigate sustainment

Australia issues open-ended sustainment agreement for its ANZAC-class frigates.

By Richard Tomkins
The HMAS Warramunga, an ANZAC-class frigate, during a visit to Hawaii. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Jason Swink
The HMAS Warramunga, an ANZAC-class frigate, during a visit to Hawaii. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Jason Swink

CANBERRA, Australia, April 29 (UPI) -- The Australian government has signed a $1.5 billion open-ended sustainment contract with Australian companies for lifetime sustainment of ANZAC-class frigates.

The strategic partnership with BAE Systems Australia Defense, Saab Australia, and Naval Ship Management Australia -- a joint venture between UGL and Babcock -- streamlines a number of existing sustainment contracts, the Department of Defense said on Friday.

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"The strategic partnership between [the Department of] Defense and industry ensures the ANZAC-class frigates will remain highly capable, safe, environmentally compliant, and cost-effective until their planned withdrawal dates," the department said.

The agreement value of $1.52 billion is for its first eight years and will provide certainty to the principal partners to invest in growing skills and capabilities.

The agreement will also provide increased opportunities for the engagement of small-to-medium sized businesses in the Australian maritime industry.

The majority of the sustainment work will be done in Henderson, Western Australia.

ANZAC-class frigates displace 4,000 tons, are 387 feet in length and have a speed of 27 knots. The first such frigate was commissioned in 1996. Construction of a replacement class frigate is to begin in 2020.

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