The Australian Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance has signed a further two contracts for the elements of the combat system for Australia's three Hobart-class air warfare destroyers (AWDs).
The alliance signed a contract worth US$29.62 million with Raytheon Missile
Systems, USA, for the provision of the very short range defence-air capability and with Adelaide-based Babcock Strachan and Henshaw Australia for the ships' torpedo launch tubes worth US$7.41 million.
"These latest contract signings mean that the AWD Alliance now has in place contracts for the majority of the AWD combat system, and since mid-2008 the alliance has signed contracts for the provision of combat system capability worth more than A$350 million (US$259 million)," said the Australian Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon.
"The torpedo launch tubes will be manufactured under licence from the US with around 60 percent of the contract value undertaken in South Australia, providing a boost to the local economy," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
"Final assembly and testing will be carried out at Babcock's new Techport facility in Adelaide.
"This follows the award late last year of a A$40 million (US$29.62 million) contract to BAE Systems Australia for the provision of a satellite communications capability for the AWDs, of which about 45 percent will be spent in South Australia," Mr Fitzgibbon said.