The government says it will invest $65 million to deliver a land-based test facility for the Navy’s new Hunter Class frigates.
The test facility will enable the testing and integration of the combat systems for the Hunter program.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price announced Hansen Yuncken had been engaged as the head contractor to build the state-of-the-art test facility at the St Kilda Transmitting Station in South Australia.
“These works are part of the $2.1 billion Navy Capability Infrastructure Sub-program (NCIS) to deliver maritime and shore-side facilities around the country,” Minister Price said. “Those facilities will support the operation of Navy’s new ships being obtained under the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan.
“Hansen Yuncken’s target is to have 100 per cent of the work go to businesses in the greater Adelaide region.”
Construction of the facility is due to start this month, with completion anticipated by early 2023.
Separately, BAE Systems Australia has brought forward prototyping contract agreements with South Australian-based companies Century Engineering and Novafast International, and Victorian firm Mackay Consolidated Industries.
The three companies will provide a range of pipe infrastructure for the prototyping phase, which is currently underway at Osborne.