;The Minister for Defence, John Moore, today announced that an $897 million contract had been signed for the upgrading of the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) six Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFGs). The FFG Upgrade project entails major improvements to the ability of the frigates to defend themselves against modern anti-ship missiles introduced after Australia's FFGs had entered service. "After an exhaustive evaluation process which considered capability, value for money, through-life support, greater training self-reliance and involvement of Australian industry in the project, ADI Limited was selected as the preferred tenderer," Mr Moore said. "I am very pleased to see that Australian industry involvement in this project will exceed 60 per cent of the contract value. "A substantial amount of the work to be undertaken by Australian industry will include high technology work associated with improved combat systems for the ships and local manufacture of the combat system. "The Australian Industry Program for the FFG Upgrade will place Australian companies in a good position to provide through-life support for the ships and importantly, the ability to maintain a local shipbuilding and overhaul capability," Mr Moore said. All six FFGs will be upgraded at ADI's Garden Island Facility in Sydney, and associated warfare support and training centres will also be upgraded. The project includes: - Better defences against anti-ship missiles, torpedoes and mines; - Enhancements to overall reliability of the ships, making them more cost-effective to operate, maintain and support; and - Improvements to living conditions on board.
The first ship, HMAS Adelaide, will begin the upgrade in mid-2002 following a three year detailed design and equipment acquisition phase. The final FFG should complete upgrade in late 2005 or early 2006. ;
