Aussie MoD Evaluates Armaris, Izar Tenders (July 2)
Defence Minister Robert Hill will visit France and Spain next week to visit shipyards and discuss options for Australia’s two major naval acquisitions projects, the amphibious ships and air warfare destroyers worth $8 billion.
Senator Hill will visit the French shipbuilding group Armaris and the Spanish shipbuilding group IZAR to discuss their candidate designs for Australia’s new amphibious ships.
“Our two new amphibious ships will be capable of performing a range of tasks, including regional disaster relief, delivering humanitarian aid, support for peace operations, and assistance to policing or military operations,” Senator Hill said.
“Defence will be evaluating the designs proposed by Armaris and IZAR later this year, in consultation with four Australian shipbuilding companies.”
Armaris has proposed the Mistral Class design which it is building for the French Navy with delivery planned in May next year. The ship has a length overall of 199 meters and a maximum beam of 32 meters. It is capable of operating six helicopters and up to four amphibious watercraft and will be fitted with medical facilities.
IZAR has proposed its new Strategic Projection Ship to meet the requirements of the Australian Defence Force. The Spanish Navy awarded a contract for the design and construction of the first ship to IZAR in March. IZAR’s naval shipyard at El Ferrol has the lead responsibility for the design and construction work. The capabilities of the new Spanish ship will be similar to those of the French Mistral.
During his visit to the El Ferrol shipyard in Spain, Senator Hill will also see the F-100 Frigate that is one of three candidate designs for the Navy’s new air warfare destroyers. The F-100 Frigate is fitted with the AEGIS Air Warfare System, and the first ship is already in service with the Spanish Navy.
“Our three new air warfare destroyers will be capable of detecting and shooting down aircraft at extended ranges and protecting deployed forces from air and missile attack,” Senator Hill said.
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Defence Minister to Visit Shipyards in France and Spain
