Babcock International wins contract for future submarines’ weapon discharge system

Naval Group has signed a subcontract with Babcock International Group PLC for the design of the weapon discharge system for Australia’s Attack-class submarines.

FILE PHOTO (2004): HMAS Dechaineux takes on training torpedoes at the ammunition wharf at HMAS Stirling. Photo by Able Seaman Photographer Phillip Cullinan.

The development of the weapon discharge system is critical to the overall design of the Attack-class submarine.

Its purpose is to launch the submarine’s main weapons, including torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said Babcock was a proven in-service supporter for systems that have already been installed on the Collins-class submarine and Hobart-class guided missile destroyers.

“The subcontract with Babcock will support the operation and sustainment of the Attack-class fleet,” she said.

“Babcock will transfer the necessary intellectual property to its Australian subsidiary Babcock Australia to act as the engineering design authority.

“This will include training, maintenance and managing the supply chain, creating around 170 new jobs for the build and sustainment of this system.

“This is the fourth subcontract for major subsystems for the Attack-class submarine established by Naval Group this year.”

Minister Reynolds didn’t say how much the contract was worth, but British media is reporting it as a £1billion Stirling = AUD$1.9billion.

Babcock International is a multinational corporation headquartered in the United Kingdom.

It specialises in managing complex assets and infrastructure and, although the company has civil contracts, its main business is with public bodies, particularly the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence and Network Rail.

.

.

.

.

.

.


.


.