Australian Naval Ship Building Opportunity

LATEST AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS NEWS

The Australian Federal Government has approved the first stage of the $2 billion Amphibious Ships project which will provide the Australian Navy with a world class capability to deploy land forces on operations. The project will provide the Navy with new amphibious ships to be used on operations and assistance in policing or military operations. Readers with interests in defence shipbuilding should contact Agar Carlyon (see email address below) to obtain more information.

The ships to be built include the Spanish Navantia ship of approximately 27,000 tonne and the French Armaris Mistral ship with additional troop carrying capability at approximately 22,000 tonnes. Each ship will preferably have the ability to transport up to 1000 personnel, have six helicopter landing spots and provision for a mix of troop lift and armed reconnaissance helicopters. It will also be able to transport up to 150 vehicles including the new M1A1 Abrams tanks and armored vehicles. Each ship will also be equipped with medical facilities, including two operating theatres and a hospital ward.

A Request for Tender will be released in the second quarter of 2006. The Government's preference is to see the ships built in Australia but this will depend on the Australian industry’s ability to demonstrate it can deliver the project at a competitive price. The Government has given first pass approval to the project and committed $29.8 million towards the Design Development Phase of the project.

The tender documentation will allow bidders to:

* Form teaming arrangements;

* Submit fixed price bids;

* Provide innovative solutions to improve price and schedule, and;

* Bid through life support solutions.

For information on this article, or on any other aspect of the Australian economy or business opportunities available, please email me.

David

david.taylor@agarcarlyon.com