Liferaft Systems Australia (LSA) will supply its Marine Evacuation Systems (MES) into the Hunter Class Frigate Program under a contract with BAE Systems Maritime Australia.
“We welcome Liferaft Systems Australia to the Hunter program and look forward to working closely with its local and highly experienced team," Acting Managing Director of BAE Systems Maritime Australia, Paul Berryman, stated.
“The Liferaft team bring world-class knowledge to the Osborne Naval Shipyard and have been delivering critical Marine Evacuation Systems to navies around the world for decades."
The contract will see each of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) first three Hunter class anti-submarine warfare ships fitted with four MES. Each MES is capable of holding 115 people once deployed, with delivery of the MES scheduled between 2026 and 2031.
“We are pleased to once again be working with BAE Systems which is the continuation of a long and professional relationship with one of the world’s leading defence prime contractors," Managing Director of Liferaft Systems Australia, Mike Grainger, said.
“BAE Systems and LSA have forged a strong connection allowing LSA to supply an internationally approved Marine Evacuation System which is completely designed and manufactured in Tasmania’s capital city of Hobart, employing locals and supporting the local community."
The Tasmanian-based Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) has already supplied MES for the Royal Navy’s eight Type 26 frigates in the UK, which will enable the Hunter Class Frigate Program to leverage existing testing reports.
“Through the Hunter program, we are maximising opportunities for Australian industry to contribute to the defence supply chain, ensuring our nation has an enduring continuous naval shipbuilding capability," Berryman affirmed.
LSA is one of over 60 Tasmanian organisations pursing opportunities in the defence industry, with this contract adding to the more than $500 million in Defence contracts awarded to Tasmanian companies in the past five years.