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The Australian Defence Force has officially opened Navy Training Systems Centre - West in Perth.
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The new training building is expected to provide students based in Western Australia with access to specialist and simulated systems training facilities without having to travel to other parts of the country.
The opening of NTSC-W was attended by Commodore Training John Stavridis, CSC, RAN; Commanding Officer HMAS Stirling, Captain Ken Burleigh, ADC, RAN; Officer In Charge Navy Training Systems Centre - West, Lieutenant Commander Alexandra Turner; Luerssen Training Manager for OPV SEA1180 Enrico Kestel and other representatives. In addition, an official plaque was unveiled on site.
Both Kestel and CMDR Stavridis spoke at the opening ceremony.
Luerssen Australia has previously supplied training for the OPV SEA1180 program from the previous Navy training building.
Earlier this month, the company also hosted a delegation from the German Embassy and German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock on a tour of the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
“Foreign Minister Baerbock and her delegation were led by Jens Nielsen and Lena Stroebele on a tour of NUSHIP Arafura,” according to a public statement published by Luerssen Australia.
“The tour was joined by the Deputy Secretary, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment, Jim McDowell and Director General, Naval Construction Branch, CDRE Grant McLennan. Thank you to the Foreign Affairs Minister and her delegation for visiting.”
Over the past five years, Luerssen Australia, in conjunction with the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group and the RAN, has analysed and designed a specific training package to prepare incoming Offshore Patrol Vessel crews.
Luerssen Australia’s 19 bespoke training courses will now be delivered from the purpose-built training facility at HMAS Stirling – called Navy Training Systems Centre (West).
The facility forms part of the ‘Ship Zero’ Training Concept Plan.
Ship Zero refers to the training and capability hubs located at HMAS Stirling and Henderson and includes a headquarters and a through-life test centre, alongside a ship and capability specific training school.
OPV crew training kicked off in 2022 in an existing facility on HMAS Stirling.
The training is a consolidation of instructor-led and studentself-paced learning and provides a realistic environment via 3D simulation to prepare sailors and officers to operate and maintain the OPVs.
All crew posted to an OPV will undertake the familiarisation course, as well as a variety of operatorand maintainer courses depending on their role.
Luerssen Australia’s Training Team will deliver the courses, many of whom are Navy veterans who bring years of experience to help next generation get ready for their roles.
Training for NUSHIP Arafura’s crew has been completed, and training for NUSHIP Eyre’s crew is set to commence later this year.
Luerssen Australia Managing Director, Malcolm Taylor, said the new facility will provide a strong foundation to foster further innovation in the training space.
“This important and innovative facility will help prepare OPV crews for deployment. It is an immersive approach which uses virtual reality and augmented reality to provide crews a unique training experience,” said Mr Taylor.
“This type of training is more cost effective and safer than training at sea. Studies have also shown interactive technology that engages multiple senses contributes to better retention and recall. We are extremely excited to be able to deliver this capability to the customer.”
Luerssen Australia is drawing on 150 years of shipbuilding and sustainment knowledge through its German parent NVL Group to support the delivery of a sovereign naval shipbuilding capability in Australia.
