Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy met with Luerssen Australia’s Chairman Tim Wagner and senior officials at a Projects of Concern Summit to discuss the SEA 1180 Phase 1 – Offshore Patrol Vessels Project.
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The meeting was part of the Commonwealth’s ongoing plan to ensure Defence acquisitions get back on track.
According to the Minister for Defence Industry, both Luerssen Australia and the Government committed to working together to address schedule delays.
The schedule delays surrounding the project first came to light in 2021, with the Offshore Patrol Vessel contract listed as a Project of Concern in October 2023.
The project is observing delays in vessel and support system delivery.
“I thank company representatives and Defence officials for their work today in discussing the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel project. Top-level focus is essential to ensure we are doing all we can to remediate areas of deficiency,” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
“Defence and our industry partner Luerssen Australia have committed to jointly address the significant schedule delays facing this project. Defence looks forward to working collaboratively with Luerssen Australia to get the project back on track.
“Today’s Summit has provided the leadership, commitment and oversight that is needed to work towards remediating this project.”
It is hoped that the Project of Concern process will remediate challenges facing Defence acquisition, providing Ministerial oversight encouraging collaboration between Defence and industry.