Under
the contract, BAE Systems will design and qualify an upgrade to the
existing Nulka launch sub-system for a series of existing and new Royal
Australian Navy ships, including the ANZAC Class Frigates, the Hobart
Class Air Warfare Destroyers and the Canberra Class Amphibious Ships.
Steve Drury, Director Aerospace, BAE Systems, welcomed the signing of
the SEA 1397 Phase 5B contract and said it was a testament to the success
of Nulka and BAE Systems Weapons business.
“This is a significant milestone for the Nulka program –
the delivery of this capability will assure that the next generation
of RAN warships will have the most effective soft-kill anti-ship missile
defence,” said Mr Drury.
The contract will commence on 1 October 2014 and work will be undertaken
at BAE Systems Richmond facility through the Weapons Systems business.
Nulka is deployed on more than 140 surface combat ships in the US, Canadian
and Australian navies and is also Australia's largest and most successful
regular defence export.
The Nulka system also relies on a strong Australian supply chain and
supports high-tech manufacturing in regional centres through the involvement
of suppliers including Milspec Engineering, Thales Australia and Varley. |
