BAE Welcomes Hydro Contract Extension

BAE Systems Australia today welcomed a one year contract extension that will see the Company continue to support the Royal Australian Navy’s hydrographic fleet until the end of this year.

The announcement was made today in Cairns by the Minister for Defence, Peter Dutton MP.

Under the Hydrographic In Service Support Contract (HISSC) which is now in its 14th year, BAE Systems is responsible for forecasting, planning and delivering all maintenance requirements for the Leeuwin Class Hydrographic ship, the Fantome Class Survey Motor Boat, the Paluma Class Survey Motor Launch and the Antarctic Survey Vessel.

Since its first maritime program in Cairns in 2000, the Company has recruited and built up a highly skilled workforce that now numbers more than 120 people.

Today the business is also supported by a strong industrial supply chain of around 200 regional and national businesses, most of which – more than 80 percent – are Australian owned and operated. Over the past five years, BAE Systems has spent almost $200 million with those suppliers.

BAE Systems Maritime Australia Managing Director, Craig Lockhart, said:

“This contract extension reflects our continued focus to look for more innovative ways to support the fleet and increase our competitiveness.

“The Hydrographic In Service Support Contract demonstrates an important industrial capability which has been built up over many years in Cairns to meet the needs of the Royal Australian Navy.

“Our highly skilled team is growing providing local know how, complemented by our national maritime sustainment business, which ensures that the Navy has the capability it requires, when it is needed.

“As we look to enter our third decade of supporting the Navy in Cairns, BAE Systems continues to be a long term trusted partner.”