Navantia Australia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Western Australia-based Hofmann Engineering for the future frigate program.
“We are extremely proud to be able to work with such a renowned Australian company,” Navantia Australia chairman Warren King said. “Hofmann Engineering will bring strong capability and experience to the continuous naval shipbuilding program and we look forward to working with them to further build Australia’s sovereign capability.”
The MoU is for the joint development and secure provision of the propeller, main reduction gear and propulsion shafting for Navantia Australia’s F-5000 future frigate proposal.
“We are excited to work with one of the world’s largest warship builders,” Erich Hofmann, managing director of Hofmann Engineering, said. “The opportunity to work with Navantia Australia to bring technologies to Australia and develop them locally is a significant step forward for the development of a local sovereign industry.”
Hofmann Engineering produces machined components, system components, propeller shafts, generator rebuilds and gearbox repairs, and other capabilities for RAN.
Navantia Australia has identified over 300 Australian companies which have the capability to contribute to the future frigate program.
The F-5000 frigate design is based on the capabilities of the Hobart Class, and draws on Navantia's experience in building the Norwegian F-310 ASW frigate. The F-5000 will include 48 strike length missile cells, a Mk45 5” gun, an advanced above water sensor suite, and integration of the MH-60R combat helicopter and UAV featured in the F-5000’s design.