GE Aerospace's Marine Engines & Systems has announced a five year extension through 2029 of a comprehensive support agreement (CSA) with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). There will be options to extend up to an additional 10 years total. The company has also celebrated a decade of service partnership with the RAN.
"Celebrating 10 years of partnership with the Royal Australian Navy is a testament to GE Aerospace’s unwavering commitment to delivering dependable power and peace of mind, ensuring their ships are always mission-ready," General Manager of Mobility Engines & Marine, Lisa Wade, said.
"This extended partnership ensures seamless interoperability through shared operations, maintenance, and supply systems – critical advantages for allied naval cooperation."
This partnership has now spanned nearly three decades and has covered 16 GE LM2500 marine gas turbine engines that powers and has powered three classes of RAN vessels, including Anzac Class Frigates, Hobart Class Destroyers, and Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks.
The CSA agreement has ensured comprehensive shipboard and depot-level maintenance. It also includes:
- Onsite technical support 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week
- LM2500 gas turbine propulsion system maintenance and overhaul
- Parts warehousing and inventory management (including spare engines, supply of spare parts and replenishment of inventory)
- Onsite field service support (home port and deployed)
- Support of school training curriculum for on-engine and equipment maintenance
- Configuration management.
LM2500 Current Fleet Details are as follows:
- Hobart Class: Between 2010 and 2017, six LM2500 gas turbines were supplied to power three RAN advanced Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD), Hobart class.
- ANZAC class: GE Aerospace has supported seven LM2500s on ANZAC class frigates.
- Canberra Class: The first HMAS Canberra, the country’s largest ship, was commissioned in 2014. It is one of two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships, each with one LM2500.
In 2022, GE Aerospace opened its Brisbane facility, which has supported avionics, flight management, electrical power, and DOWTY propeller systems on various commercial and military aircraft.