Hobart Class destroyer combat system upgrade launches
The delivery of enhanced combat systems on the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Hobart Class guided missile destroyers has taken a major step forward, following the signing of the first Delivery Tasking Statement by all parties of the Combat Systems Integration – Integrated Project Team (CSI-IPT) Collaboration Agreement (CCA).
The CSI-IPT – formed by the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by Defence, BAE Systems Australia, Saab Australia, and Lockheed Martin Australia – was established under the CCA and sees the parties work collaboratively as one team.
Through the Delivery Tasking Statement the CSI-IPT will upgrade the Aegis Combat System, introduce Saab’s new Australian Interface (AI), and incorporate the Tomahawk Weapon System on the first of the RAN’s three Hobart Class destroyers.
A team of more than 130 Defence and industry personnel in Adelaide and Melbourne will deliver integration, testing, assessment, installation, and certification of the combat system, and lay the foundations of a sovereign Combat Systems Integration capability in Australia to support Tier 1, Aegis-equipped surface combatants for the RAN.
Geoff Stephens, CSI-IPT CSI Manager, said:
“By consolidating the unique capabilities and skillsets from across our partner companies, the CSI-IPT will ensure the Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment enterprise in Australia is ready to support complex warships.
"We have established an enduring, highly-capable, and ready-made workforce to deliver on time and on budget for the Royal Australian Navy.”
Warren McDonald, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, Chief Executive, said:
“We are proud to partner, through the CSI-IPT, with the Royal Australian Navy and industry to upgrade the Aegis Combat System baseline technology across the Hobart Class surface fleet, a force multiplier across the Indo-Pacific.
“We are leveraging more than 50 years of experience in delivering air and missile defence to navies globally with Aegis and integrating with Australian Industry Capability to ensure the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart Class surface fleet possess the capability edge to fight and win at sea.”
Paul Berryman, BAE Systems Australia – Maritime, Acting Managing Director, said:
“Working together as one team ensures three of Australia’s largest defence industry primes are united in one shared goal to equip the Royal Australian Navy with advanced capability.
“This marks a key milestone in the delivery of capability by the CSI-IPT, with much more to come on the horizon across the Hobart Class and Hunter Class – the core of Australia’s current and future surface fleet.”
Andy Keough CSC, Saab Australia, Managing Director, said:
“This collaborative team of leading defence technology partners combined with sovereign Australian integration capabilities will significantly enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) ability to deter, protect and defend.
“The Hobart Class combat system upgrade also increases commonality across the RAN surface fleet to deliver operating, training and sustainment efficiencies.”