Navantia Australia will now manage the Asia Pacific operations for the Navantia group and future export opportunities in the region, including New Zealand, will also be managed and executed from Australia.
His Excellency, Bruce Gosper, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, opened the Navantia Australia office, highlighting the benefits of Australian defence export opportunities in Southeast Asia.
“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for Australia’s naval shipbuilding industry,” said Navantia Australia chairman Warren King. “Our history in Australia, the technology transfer to Australia, and the additional know-how we are committed to bring, is growing Australia’s sovereign capability and export ability”.
A critical element in the creation of export capability has been the designation of Navantia Australia as class manager for the Hobart Class destroyer design. This recognises the naval engineering capability which Navantia has established, enabling the company to lead export programs in the region. Navantia is the only Future Frigate tenderer downselected for both the United States and Canadian frigate programs. Navantia has partnered with CEA Technologies and Saab Australia for the Canadian Surface Combatant program.
“The political, defence and economic relationship between Singapore and Australia is already strong. The opening of a Navantia Australia office in Singapore is another positive step in deepening this engagement and builds Australia’s competitiveness for Defence related exports, not in only in Singapore, but importantly in the region.” said Austrade’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Ms Prerana Mehta .
“Our commitment to growing Australia’s sovereign capability and export ability through the continued transfer of design and production capabilities from Spain to Australia, and partnership with Australian industries to build their ability to be globally competitive, aligns well with the key elements of the Australian Government’s Defence Export Strategy,” said Mr King.
“Navantia Australia’s intellectual property and enterprise processes which are owned and resident in Australia, provide significant benefits for Australia’s naval export programs, as well as Australia’s Future Frigate program” Mr King said.