The success of Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding program requires the engagement and development of a highly skilled and well-qualified workforce.

The order increases the total number of boats being built under Project Sea 3036 to 21.

The 20 year program will deal with obsolescence in the launcher system, the maintainability of the firing component and software improvements

From the very outset it was clear that Pacific 2017 was going to be an interesting show. With billions of dollars of naval shipbuilding contracts up for grabs, there was much industry speculation in the days leading up to the event.

The extent of the damage and whether it will impact the frigate's planned 9 month deployment to the Middle East is unclear.

Both Billig and Di Pietro see workforce as the biggest challenge ahead for the program as milestones become more complex, requiring a range of skills.

Following an organisation-wide program of innovation and reform commencing in 2012, ASC is now performing at or above international benchmarks for its scope of work on Collins Class submarine.

The AMCAP scope of work includes replacement under Project Sea 1448-4B of the Raytheon SPS-49 long range air search radar with a more capable unit developed from the CEAFAR active phased array radar.

The first project addresses obsolescence in the control system, known as the Integrated Ship Control Management and Monitoring System to allow safe operation of the submarines, while the second provides improved submarine communications capability.

A statement released by Naval Group indicated the organisations will engage in open discussions to identify opportunities relating to the planning, development and delivery of the Future Submarine Program while developing, extending and protecting the Australian workforce.

The Government has now mandated that where the high-end warfighting capabilities of the Aegis system are not required, a Saab Australia developed combat management system will be used on all of Australia’s future ship projects.

The sustainment work is in addition to that already undertaken by the company for the Australian Border Force.

The introduction of the MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopter into service has marked an evolution in capability for the RAN.

The RAN is in the midst of the most ambitious recapitalisation of its fleet since WWII.

The first of the three 7,000-tonne Hobart class guided missile destroyers (DDGs) destined for the RAN was formally commissioned on 23 September and is expected to be available for operations late in 2018 – about the time the second of the class will be delivered to Navy prior to commissioning.

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett says the aspect of navies as a national enterprise drawing heavily upon civil infrastructure and society is often neglected in discussions about defence in general and navies in particular.