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Western Australia’s Hofmann Engineering has landed another partnership for a major defence project, this time securing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Navantia for the Future Frigate program.
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Under the MoU, Hofmann Engineering and Navantia would collaborate on joint development and secure provision of the propeller, main reduction gear and propulsion shafting, if Navantia's F-5000 design is selected for the $35 billion SEA 5000 project.
Navantia Australia chairman Warren King said the Spanish company is excited to continue work with the premiere engineering solutions and full turn-key tooling services provider.
"We are extremely proud to be able to work with such a renowned Australian company," said King.
“Hofmann Engineering will bring strong capability and experience to the continuous naval shipbuilding program and we look forward to working with them to further build Australia’s sovereign capability."
Erich Hofmann, managing director of Hofmann Engineering, said the partnerships will offer the WA company more opportunity to help develop a sovereign Australian shipbuilding industry.
"We are excited to work with one of the world’s largest warship builders," said Hofmann. "The opportunity to work with Navantia Australia to bring technologies to Australia and develop them locally is a significant step forward for the development of a local sovereign industry."
Hofmann Engineering has worked with the Royal Australian Navy since 1988, producing machined components, system components, propeller shafts, generator rebuilds and gearbox repairs, along with other capabilities.
Navantia Australia said it has identified over 300 Australian companies that have the capability to contribute to the future frigate program. So far, the company has announced partnerships with WA SME IKAD Engineering, which will work with Navantia to fabricate components for the F-5000, Century Engineering and SAGE Automation.
Navantia's MoU with Century Engineering would see the SA company work on rudder arrangement and stowage locker innovation for the F-5000 frigate. Century Engineering has previously worked with Navantia on the Hobart Class project.
SA's SAGE Automation's MoU with the Spanish ship designer is to supply the integrated platform management system (IPMS) for its Future Frigates bid.
Navantia is up against BAE Systems and Fincantieri for the $35 billion SEA 5000 project. A decision on the project has been tipped between the end of April and the start of June.
