THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Minister for Defence
Monday, 11 August 2008
096/2008
SELECTION OF SONAR SYSTEM FOR THE
AIR WARFARE DESTROYER PROJECT
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP has congratulated the Air
Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance in achieving an important milestone in the AWD
project with the selection of Ultra Electronics as the preferred supplier of the sonar
system for the AWDs.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ultra Electronics for being
selected to supply this key capability for Australia’s future AWDs,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Following a rigorous tender process, Mr Fitzgibbon was advised by the CEO of the
Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), Dr Stephen Gumley and the Chief of the
Capability Development Group, Vice Admiral Matt Tripovich, that the selection of
Ultra Electronics will ensure the AWDs are equipped with a sonar system that
provides excellent anti-submarine and torpedo defence capability.
“The selection of the sonar system is a key milestone for the AWD Alliance and
represents the first of a series of important equipment selections the team will make
in the next few months,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“I also note Ultra Electronics has committed to undertake more than 50 per cent of its
AWD sonar systems work in Australia, which represents a great result for Australian
Industry.”
The AWD Alliance will shortly be issuing Requests for Tender to selected companies
for work on the ships’ hull blocks, as well as work on other elements of the ships’
combat systems.
As one of the largest and most complex defence acquisition programs currently
underway in Australia, Mr Fitzgibbon said the Government was closely monitoring the
progress of the AWD project and the AWD Alliance.
The AWD Alliance includes DMO, Raytheon Australia and the Australian Submarine
Corporation.
Media contacts:
Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):
02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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