The Australian government has inked a $155-million contract with BAE Systems to enhance the defense capabilities of the Royal Navy’s Hobart-class destroyer fleet.
The six-year agreement requires the aerospace company to deliver a “sovereign sustainment capability” to HMAS Hobart, HMAS Brisbane, and HMAS Sydney.
The guided missile destroyers are expected to undergo significant upgrades to their combat management system, ensuring a more efficient and reliable defense in both air and sea.
“Our established team has deep knowledge of the Hobart Class Destroyer and will deliver a proven Enterprise and collaborative approach that focuses on dependable delivery today and innovative ways of sustaining the class into the future,” Managing Director Craig Lockhart said.
As the Hobert-class warships serve crucial to Australia’s defense, the enhancement deal would be critical to ensure continued reliability and remain fit-for-purpose, Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm said in a statement.
Hobart-Class Destroyer Fleet
The Royal Australian Navy’s guided missile destroyers provide air defense through an accompanying helicopter for surveillance and response to support key warfare areas.
The Navantia-made vessels feature long-range anti-ship missiles and a naval gun that allow for extended firing range munitions in support of land forces.
“Equipped with modern sonar and communications systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes and an array of effective close-in defensive weapons, the Hobart Class destroyers also provide enhanced undersea and task group command capabilities,” Navantia said.
Plan Galileo
The destroyers are the first major in-service asset with a capability life cycle manager.
The appointment is part of the Future Maritime Sustainment Model under the Australian government’s Plan Galileo.
Targeting to increase the Royal fleet by 132 percent in key regions across Australia by 2048, Plan Galileo employs a whole-of-life sustainment approach from the design to disposal of the vessels.
The government is set to launch the plan’s Horizon 3 – Sustainment 25 with three set objectives: enhanced and evolved support to navy, sustainment efficiency, and sovereign sustainment capability.