Austal has advised that the Detailed Design Review (DDR) for the $306 million Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) Project has been successfully completed on time and in accordance with the contracted schedule.
In a statement to the ASX, Austal said the completion of the DDR formally signifies the end of the design phase and the commencement of the production phase of the nineteen steel vessel program, awarded to the company in May 2016.
DDR is a key, mandated milestone in the Commonwealth’s ASDEFCON contracting process and the PPB-R detailed design confirmation, on 10th February 2017, which will enable the product baseline to be established.
Announcing the milestone, Austal’s PPB-R Project Manager Matthew Klingberg highlighted the effective working relationship between Austal and the Commonwealth on the PPB-R Project.
“Achieving DDR on a Commonwealth shipbuilding project is a significant milestone, particularly as this was achieved within 8 months from the Contract Effective Date. This was made possible by the dedicated efforts of both the Austal and Commonwealth teams, working together in an open and collaborative manner,” Klingberg said.
The PPB-R Project comprises the design, construction, delivery, training and sustainment of nineteen 40 metre patrol boats to be gifted by the Commonwealth to twelve Pacific Island nations as part of Australia’s new Pacific Maritime Security Program.
The company stated construction of the Austal design will commence in WA in April this year, with deliveries scheduled from 2018 to 2023.
Sustainment of the new fleet of vessels will be carried out by Austal from facilities in Cairns.