ASC welcomes Government decision of Navantia ship design

ASC has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of Navantia’s ‘Existing’ design as its chosen platform for the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Program.

In its role as shipbuilder for the AWD Alliance, ASC will now construct three Navantia-designed air warfare destroyers for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) at ASC’s shipbuilding facility in Osborne, South Australia. 

The Navantia design was chosen ahead of US firm’s Gibbs & Cox’ ‘Evolved’ design.

ASC Shipbuilding CEO Mr John Gallacher said he was delighted that the Existing design was chosen.

“It’s an exciting day for ASC, because we can now move into the next phase of the project: finalising the design, preparing our infrastructure and ultimately beginning the build process,” Mr Gallacher said. 

“I congratulate Navantia on having its design selected, and we are looking forward to working with them to build the best possible ship for the RAN.

“ASC is confident that the chosen design will provide an excellent capability for the RAN for many years to come.

“I would like to thank all of the ASC staff who worked on the Existing design team.  I also thank the staff from the other Alliance members – the Defence Materiel Organisation, Raytheon Australia and Navantia – for their contribution to the successful design.

 “Similarly I commend ASC staff, as well as staff from the other Alliance members, for their role as part of the Evolved design team.”

ASC will employ up to 1000 new staff over the life of the AWD Program, with procurement, planning and detail design commencing immediately, and construction to begin in 2009.

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For more information:  
Ben Osborne, Senior Communications Consultant
ASC Pty Ltd
Telephone: 08 8348 7000
Mobile: 0412 251 390
Email: ben.osborne@asc.com.au