A Sydney-based company specialising in the design and manufacture of electronic warfare systems recently joined its industry partners in the lead up to the announcement of the successful bidder for the Navy’s $3 billion Offshore Patrol Vessel program.
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Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems (JEDS) joined numerous industry partners to attend three days of technical workshops hosted by OPV project contender Damen.
Representatives from Danish company Terma, who have been shortlisted to provide the radar and other surveillance equipment for the Damen OPV design, also attended the workshops.
In a success story for Australian industry involvement, JEDS will be providing the full range of technical services to Damen on Terma’s behalf, including design, installation, test and trials, and then setting to work the equipment.
The first workshop, hosted by L3 Technologies in Melbourne, focused on the integration of Terma's SCANTER 6002 radar and C-Flex Command and Control system.
Joined by other partners associated with Damen’s design, the workshop brought together key contributors to make sure they are all aligned in their roles and responsibilities for the build of the new OPV’s.
The second workshop was hosted onboard Damen’s new Multi-role Aviation Training Vessel MV Sycamore in Sydney.
This brand new 94-metre ship is based on Damen’s OPV 2400 design and is fitted with very similar equipment to that proposed in the SEA 1180 tender. Nearly 50 Damen suppliers attended that day to witness a fully operating Terma system on a Damen OPV.
JEDS said the event was another opportunity to form key partnerships with the other suppliers to maximise Australian content.
Damen, Lürssen and AustalFassmer are all vying for the $3 billion contract that will see the construction of 12 vessels, with two slated to be built in South Australia and 10 in Western Australia.
A decision about the successful tenderer is expected to be announced before the end of the year.