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SEA 5000 bidder Navantia has selected Adelaide-based Navantia SAGE Automation Group (NSAG) to supply the integrated platform management system (IPMS) for its Future Frigates bid.
The selection comes after the transfer of IPMS technology to Australia in support of the Navantia-designed Canberra Class amphibious ships and Hobart Class destroyers.
Established in 2016 as a joint venture between Navantia Australia and SAGE Automation, NSAG is responsible for the regional management, development and sustainment of the IPMS system, which is used by more than 60 ships across multiple navies around the world.
"The partnership between Navantia Australia and SAGE Automation demonstrates our partnership with Australian industry," said Navantia Australia managing director Donato Martinez.
"The technology transfer which has taken place to bring the IPMS to Australia demonstrates Australian companies’ ability to be globally competitive in the naval shipbuilding sector."
The NSAG IPMS is already on board the Royal Australian Navy’s Canberra Class amphibious ships and Hobart Class destroyers, and will be installed on the replenishment ships Supply and Stalwart currently being constructed by Navantia. By 2020, almost 2,000 RAN service men and women will be trained and operate in the NSAG IPMS environment.
SAGE Automation, based in South Australia, said the NSAG collaboration has helped upskill Australian workers to work in the defence industry.
"Since its formation in 2016, NSAG has been growing Australia’s defence capability through the upskilling of Australian engineers and technicians in the Navantia IPMS, and through its Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Tonsley," said SAGE Automation chief executive Adrian Fahey.
"This latest opportunity is about transfer of technology and skills to bolster Australia’s sovereign capability in defence."
If Navantia Australia’s F-5000 is selected, the number of RAN ships with the NSAG IPMS will rise to 16, which Navantia said will provide unparalleled commonality and benefits in crew training, crew optimisation, sustainment and other areas.
"The selection of the Australian NSAG IPMS for the F-5000 is part of our plan to grow Australian industry and increase Australia’s sovereign capability through the Future Frigate program," Martinez said.
Navantia has also selected Hobart's Taylor Bros for the SEA 5000 project, embedding the SME into its design and production team for the program.
Based on the Hobart Class destroyers already being built in Australia, Navantia Australia’s F-5000 will provide the RAN with the most capable anti-submarine warfare vessels in its history.
