Australian firm to assemble GE engines

Sept. 28 (UPI) -- GE's Marine Solutions' LM2500 gas turbine modules are to be manufactured in Australia by RJE Global in support of a Royal Australian Navy frigate program.

Under a recent Memorandum of Understanding by the two companies, RJE Global will also manufacture a number of components for the gas turbines.

"Through this MOU, GE provides RJE access to manufacturing and assembly knowledge as well as other GE resources that have been used with similar local manufacturers globally to produce our reliable LM2500 marine gas turbine modules," said Brien Bolsinger, vice president and general manager of GE in Evendale, Ohio. "Teaming with RJE is a natural choice that makes the LM2500 engine the low risk, in-country solution for the RAN's next-generation frigate program."

RJE, which designs and builds plant and power solutions for industry, has a history of working with several GE businesses. It is located in the State of South Australia.

The LM2500 gas turbines will be for the RAN's nine-ship SEA 5000 Future Frigate Program. The new frigates will replace the navy's aging Anzac-class frigates.

GE's LM2500 gas turbines are operational on two of the short-listed, qualified ship designs for the new vessels -- Fincantieri's FREMM and Navantia's F100 frigates.