The Osborne Naval Shipyard and other facilities at Port Adelaide will be the focus of the program to replace the in-service ANZAC class frigates, with work commencing in 2020. A digital rendering of one of the new warships. “We are committed to working with BAE to help build the skills and capability base necessary to ensure that Australia is able to fully leverage the employment and industry dividends that will flow from the Future Frigate project,” Professor Stirling says.įlinders University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Robert Saint, Defence Partnerships Director Mr Tony Kyriacou and the Director of Flinders’ Centre for Maritime Engineering Associate Professor Karl Sammut are in the UK in discussions with BAE and mutual partners. “Projects like this will greatly accelerate South Australia’s efforts to generate highly skilled jobs and sophisticated manufacturing companies. The research and development collaboration will have an emphasis on autonomous marine vehicles, a future technology that could greatly enhance Australia’s capability to detect and deter submarines.įlinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says: “We congratulate BAE Systems for its successful bid for SEA 5000 and look forward to working collaboratively in support of the Future Frigate program. Under the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Flinders University will have access to BAE Systems’ digital shipbuilding tools, processes and methodologies and turn these into development programs to train the people who will build the Future Frigates and integrate the ships’ complex operating systems. This will include training and use of the latest advanced manufacturing technologies and state-of-the-art training facilities at the Tonsley Manufacturing Innovation Hub, along with a range of other research and training collaborations. With the competition intense and all contenders outstanding global shipbuilders, Flinders looks forward to working closely with BAE and its partners to help train the shipbuilding workforce of the future. The $35 billion SEA 5000 Future Frigate program promises to be a boon for the SA economy – and training and employment opportunities in the State.įlinders University, which last month signed a research and development MOU agreement with BAE Systems Australia, congratulated the company for its successful bid today (announced 29 June 2018), with much of the design and construction in South Australia promising to open up hundreds of new opportunities for graduates from the university and VET sectors. Federal and State politicians celebrate British defence giant BAE Systems winning the $35 billion tender to build warships in Australia.