The Australian Government announced last week that the combat management system for Australia’s fleet of nine Future Frigates will be provided by the Aegis Combat Management System from Lockheed Martin, together with an Australian tactical interface, which will be developed by Saab Australia.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the choice of Aegis and the Saab systems will make the defence of our nation on the high seas stronger than ever.
Saab Australia managing director Dean Rosenfield welcomed the announcement, saying it gave the company certainty to invest in the long-term.
"This is an endorsement of the advanced combat system capabilities we have developed for the RAN and we look forward to working closely with the Australian Defence Force to deliver highly capable systems for the Future Frigates and other platforms“, said Rosenfield.
Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said it was good news for industry in South Australia.
“Saab Australia estimates they will need to employ an additional 150 staff members as a direct result of this decision," said Pyne.
“What we are seeing is a real transition in our economy to advanced manufacturing in defence industry as a direct result of this government’s decisions to carry out its $89 billion naval shipbuilding program locally.
He said the beauty of continuous shipbuilding is the work has to be done in and around the shipyard and is impossible to outsource which means that the jobs will stay in Australia
The Saab 9LV Combat Management System will form an integral part of the Future Frigate and upgraded Air Warfare Destroyer combat capability as well as being selected for the Offshore Patrol Vessels. It offers complete C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) for all naval platforms from combat boats and patrol boats, to frigates and aircraft carriers, as well as submarines and vessels for anti-piracy, security and surveillance.
[Anzac class frigate HMAS Warramunga. Photo: Defence/Christopher Szumlanski]