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The NSW branch of the Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN) has hosted Naval Ship Management (Australia) in support of the second 'Challenger Series: Maritime' event to develop its supply chain in support of its tender for LHD support.
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Naval Ship Management (Australia) is a joint venture between Babcock and UGL to undertake the planning, scheduling, management and execution of preventative and corrective maintenance for naval ships and their system support facilities on the east and west coasts of Australia.
Some 120 people attended to hear presentations from NSM, their joint venture partners Babcock and UGL, and other organisations including:
- The CDIC, who discussed pathways for defence businesses and Australian industrial capability (AIC) plans;
- The Attorney-General's Department to discuss security threats;
- Warship Asset Management Alliance (WAMA) on industry engagement;
- AIDN NSW on their skilling and STEM strategy; and
- AIDN member Favcote on developing their share of the defence market.
In his key-note address, NSW Defence Advocate, Air Marshal (ret'd) John Harvey AM proposed, "To fully achieve its ambitious goals, Defence’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan needs to be supported by a ‘whole of capability’, ‘whole of life’, ‘whole of nation’ approach. This approach is essential to avoid skills shortages. The shipbuilding enterprise must not only look at moving people to where the jobs are but moving jobs to where the people are."
In 2012, NSM successfully won the group maintenance contract for the repair and maintenance of the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class Frigates and was administered by Anzac Systems Program Office (SPO), part of Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), which has subsequently changed its name to the Capability and Sustainment Group (CASG).
"At NSM, we have always recognised the importance of continuous engagement with local industry to support our current and future programs and it is with great pleasure that we brought the second Immediate Challenge Series event to Sydney in conjunction with AIDN NSW," NSM general manager Joe Smith said.
In his closing remarks, AIDN NSW treasurer Bruno Favretti reflected the views of the AIDN membership that the event had been very well received and informative with the range of presentations included and the networking opportunities available.
Favretti also acknowledged the unique opportunities afforded by NSM’s 'thin prime' model where, unlike traditional primes, all work is sub-contracted to other organisations, affording more opportunities for SMEs than have previously been available.
In 2016, NSM secured a long-term contract with the Commonwealth – WAMA – for the sustainment of the Australian Anzac Class Frigates.
"This series, which was first held last June in conjunction with AIDN-WA, was conceived in order to engage with local industry to identify innovative solutions that can solve existing problems, whilst encouraging collaboration and teaming amongst local industry. This inaugural event has already delivered tangible outcomes that will benefit both Defence and local industry and I fully anticipate that the Sydney event will produce similar benefits," Smith explained.
The contract represents a strategic partnership between BAE Systems, Saab, NSM and the Commonwealth of Australia for the sustainment and total asset management of the Anzac frigates through to the end of their life. NSM is responsible for maintenance delivery, bringing together an integrated schedule and elements of logistics supply previously undertaken by the Commonwealth.
NSM consists of 125 personnel, employed by Babcock and UGL, and is based in Perth and Sydney. The main office is located in Henderson, Western Australia.
NSM is continuing its engagement for the next two days with one-on-one meetings for pre-registered SMEs.
