BAE Systems Australia, working with BMT, has been awarded the Anzac Class Designer Support Contract (DSC-West) to sustain and enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac class fleet under a $163 million, seven-year agreement.
The engineering design contract will see the two organisations deliver ongoing support for the fleet, with DSC-West centred on the Henderson maritime precinct in Western Australia, which is closely associated with the Anzac class and its long-term sustainment activities.
According to the companies, the arrangement draws on decades of warship sustainment experience at the site and is intended to strengthen Australia’s sovereign maritime capability.
The partnership, referred to as DSC-West, brings together platform expertise, design authority access and integrated support capabilities following BMT’s acquisition of Australian Maritime Technologies (AMT), which has heritage links to the original Anzac class design.
The organisations said this combination is intended to support the Commonwealth’s requirements for continued operational effectiveness and future upgrades.
BAE Systems Australia – Maritime Managing Director, Surface Ships, David Shepherd, said the contract represents an important development in the ongoing sustainment of the class.
“This award marks a new chapter in Anzac class sustainment. As the company that constructed the Anzac fleet, and successfully helped deliver two major upgrade programs across the class, we’re proud to combine our experience with the expanded capabilities of BMT to deliver safe, efficient and reliable outcomes for the Commonwealth,” Shepherd said.
BMT Managing Director Graeme Nayler said the selection of the DSC-West team reflects the depth of experience brought together through the partnership.
“We are delighted the Commonwealth has selected the DSC-West team. With AMT now part of BMT, we bring together decades of Anzac class knowledge, ensuring we can continue delivering operational excellence for the Anzac class fleet,” Nayler said.
He added that the work will be delivered from the Henderson shipyard in Perth, as well as from offices in Melbourne, Sydney and other locations, supported by what the companies describe as deep platform knowledge and sovereign capability intended to maintain fleet availability and support future upgrades.
