Work on the Hunter Class Frigate Program is progressing, as the prototyping phase of the program approaches.
Prime contractor for the Program, ASC Shipbuilding (a BAE Systems Australia company), has signed a contract with South Australian company Infrabuild Steel Centre to support the manufacturing of the frigates at the Osborne South shipyard.
The contract is for the supply of around 120 tonnes of Australian steel to be used to support the manufacturing of the Hunter class frigates.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the contract was a testament to the continued progress being made in the Program.
“This contract follows my earlier announcement this year of a contract with Bluescope Steel to provide steel for the prototyping blocks. Both contracts are prime examples of growing our national naval shipbuilding enterprise with the support of Australian steel, Minister Reynolds said.
“The steel from Infrabuild’s Port Adelaide facility will be used to make an initial six jig wagons, which will hold and support the movement of ship parts around the state-of-the-art Osborne shipyard.
“A total of 13 jig wagons will be manufactured, with the fabrication of the jig wagons from this contract marking the first work being done in the new yard.”