Austal Australia has opened its Adelaide office for support of the design and production of the $3 billion Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program (Sea 1180).
Austal CEO David Singleton said as Australia’s largest defence exporter, it is only natural for the company to have a presence in Australia’s largest naval shipbuilding hub.
“We are increasing our presence in Adelaide to contribute to the Government sovereign shipbuilding commitment, something that will see Australia able to design, build and export a whole range of naval vessels.
Singleton said that in collaboration with design partner Fassmer, Austal would also seek to export the vessel around the world.
“Of the three bidders for the OPV program, AustalFassmer is the only one with both a track record of exports from Australia and concrete plans to sell internationally.”
“Our joint venture will deliver a complete transfer of intellectual property to Australia of the OPV 80 design, a process that will be initiated in Adelaide.
Although the AustalFassmer Adelaide office has been established to primarily support the OPV program there will also be ongoing work from Austal Adelaide to support the Austal/ASC Frigate teaming agreement.