Updated 8/5 1055
The government has announced it will invest $180 million over the next five years to modernise the anti-ship missile defence capabilities on Royal Australian Navy ships, in response to the recommendations of the Defence Strategic Review.
Rheinmetall Defence Australia signed a five-year contract to build the Multi-Ammunition Soft-Kill System (MASS), to equip Anzac Class frigates and Hobart Class destroyers with anti-ship missile protection.
The system provides an electromagnetic decoy to protect the ships from sensor-guided missiles. MASS can be installed on vessels of all sizes and readily integrated into existing shipboard command and weapon engagement systems or operate as a standalone system. In the standard version, MASS consists of up to six trainable launchers, each of which can fire up to 32 Omni Trap decoy munitions.
The first systems are to be delivered by the end of 2023, with full operational capability achieved by 2027, Rheinmetall confirmed in a statement.
The company said this is its single-biggest order ever for ship protection technology, with total sales volume potentially coming to $1 billion, as the contract includes an option for equipping Australia’s entire fleet.
“The order underscores once again the great effectiveness of MASS," Martin Fegg, product manager for softkill protection systems at Rheinmetall Waffe Munition said. "Australia is now the 16th user nation. We continue to work closely with our colleagues at Rheinmetall Defence Australia, who are responsible for production in country. The largest possible share of value added will thus be generated in Australia, a major plus for the customer."
The MASS systems ordered by the RAN will be assembled at Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s MILVEHCOE centre of excellence for military vehicles.
“The contract, the first naval contract awarded to Rheinmetall Defence Australia, represents a significant milestone as the company grows its local industrial footprint with further advanced assembly and training system capabilities in Australia,” Nathan Poyner, managing director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia said. “Rheinmetall is committed to building Australian Industry Capability and creating advanced manufacturing Australian jobs in trades including mechanical, electrical, ammunition and software.“
“It is great to visit the Brisbane facility where this exciting new system will be developed with support from a number of local companies, creating Queensland jobs," Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy said.
“This investment will not only keep our sailors safe, but also lead to a smarter, stealthier navy, able to protect Australia’s interests in our current strategic environment.
“The Government is investing in sovereign capabilities and working with local industry to ensure our Defence personnel have the capability they need to keep Australians safe.”