Tag Archives: Navantia

Navy

Al-Diriyah

Navantia has launched on November 14, 2020 the second of the five corvettes built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), named Al-Diriyah, in homage to the city where the Saudi royal family has its origins, and which today is linked with San Fernando. The event, which has included telematic interventions, has been presided over by the Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Vice-Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily; by the Chairwoman of Navantia, Belén Gualda; by the CEO of SAMI, Walid Abukhaled and by the Admiral Chief of Staff of Spanish Army, Teodoro López Calderón. In addition, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya has been especially involved in the event with a final intervention in which she has highlighted the commitment of the Spanish Government to this naval program and the desire for future collaboration between both countries.

Al-Diriyah
Navantia San Fernando celebrates the launching of the second corvette for Saudi Arabia

The ceremony has begun with a welcome from the director of shipyard, Javier Herrador, followed by a reading from the Holy Koran by the Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, continuing with a video about the city Al-Diriyah (which gives its name to the ship), followed by a video from Navantia about the preparations for the launching of the ship has been shown. After that, the hymns of Saudi Arabia and Spain has commenced the speeches.

Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces has highlighted the work of Navantia and the Spanish Navy, «giving the highest to achieve the training of the first crew in Spain, qualified personnel capable of operating and maintaining these ships». In this sense, the Admiral Chief of Staff of Spanish Army has also highlighted the total commitment of the Spanish Navy in this pioneering program, which involves a high-quality training beyond the construction.

CEO of SAMI has expressed his appreciation for the support of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in making it possible for the corvette Al-Diriyah and all other corvettes of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces to be equipped with the first Saudi Combat Management System.

The Chairwoman of Navantia has had some words of thanks to the whole team working on this program, both in Spain and in Saudi Arabia has shown her commitment to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and she has expressed the purpose of Navantia to collaborate with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces throughout other future programs.

Next, Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily, has proceeded to cut the ribbon from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the corvette Al-Diriyah has begun to slide down the steps until she has touched water for the first time.

Corvette Al-Diriyah has a length of 104 meters/341 feet, a beam of 14 meters/46 feet and she will be able to transport a total of 102 people including crew and passengers. It will reach a maximum speed of 27 knots/31 mph/50 km/h and, among other things, she has the capacity to carry provisions on board for 21 days.

The design of the corvettes is of the latest generation, maximizing the participation of Navantia by incorporating its own products, such as the CATIZ Combat System, the HERMESYS Integrated Communications System, the DORNA Firing Direction, the Integrated Platform Control System and the MINERVA Integrated Bridge, together with other equipment developed by Navantia under license, such as the MTU Engines or the RENK Reduction Gearboxes.

This contract, which came into force in November 2018, strengthens the immediate future of Navantia and benefits all the shipyards of the company and its auxiliary industry, especially the whole Bay of Cadiz.

Specifically, it will mean a global workload of around seven million hours which, translated into employment, will reach the figure of 6,000 annually during the next five years. Of these, more than 1,100 will be Navantia employees; more than 1,800, employees from Auxiliary Industry of Navantia and more than 3,000, indirect employees generated by other suppliers. There will be more than 100 auxiliary companies that will collaborate in this project.

This program, whose last vessel must be delivered in 2024, includes, in addition to construction, Life Cycle Support for five years, from the delivery of the first vessel, with an option for another five years.

On the other hand, the contract also includes the supply of several services such as, Integrated Logistic Support, Operational and Maintenance Training, Supply of Training and Education Centers for the Combat System and Platform Control System of the ships, the Life Cycle Support previously mentioned, and the systems for the maintenance of the ships in the Jeddah Naval Base.

Navy

Sea Acceptance Trials

OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) is pleased to announce NUSHIP Supply (II), the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) new Supply class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship, has successfully completed its Sea Acceptance Trials (SAT) in Ferrol, Spain.

OSI IBS Included in Successful SAT for Royal Australian Navy AOR

OSI is contracted by Navantia to design and deliver Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS) for the RAN SEA 1654 AOR Program. In addition, OSI is providing onboard training and supervision of the system as the ship transits to its delivery destination.

«Working directly with Navantia was a rewarding experience», stated Ken Kirkpatrick, President and CEO, OSI Maritime Systems. «It brought together partners from Spain, Australia, and Canada, and demonstrated the cooperation that is possible in the global shipbuilding industry even with the challenges brought on by COVID-19».

NUSHIP Supply (II) is the first of two ships being delivered to the RAN. When commissioned, the ships are intended to carry fuel, dry cargo, water, food, ammunition, equipment and spare parts to provide operational support for the deployed naval or combat forces operating far from the port on the high seas for prolonged operational periods.

The IBS supplied for SEA 1654 is based upon OSI’s Warship Integrated Navigation & Tactical System (INTS) design; custom built to the RAN’s requirements. As a type approved Integrated Navigation System (INS), INTS’s scalable architecture allows for core capabilities to be designed to fit a range of bridge configurations from offshore patrol vessels to large frigate designs.

Integrated into to this innovative bridge design is ECPINS, OSI’s leading warship navigation software. ECPINS is an International Maritime Organization (IMO) Approved ECDIS and the only third-party type approved NATO WECDIS STANAG 4564. The RAN operates ECPINS fleet wide.

«Our expertise in navigation and tactical solutions is easily recognized in both integrated systems and software solutions», added Jim Davison, Vice President, Business Development. «There really is no other company that can offer both systems and software solutions that are specifically designed for naval operations and are third-party type approved».

ECPINS operates fleet wide across nine navies and INTS is currently being supplied to multiple NATO and Allied navy programs including the Royal Canadian Navy’s Canadian Surface Combat program; a design based upon the BAE Systems Type 26 Global Combat Ship.

 

Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher

Length 173.9 m/570.54 feet
Beam 23.0 m/75.46 feet
Displacement 19,500 tonnes
Draught 8.0 m/26.25 feet
Warship Electronic Chart Display & Information System (WECDIS) Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPINS)
Integrated Bridge System Based on OSI’s Integrated Navigation & Tactical System
Armament Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS); 2×25-mm Typhoon Weapon Station; 4×12.7-mm heavy machine guns
Aircraft 1 Helicopter

 

Navy

Al-Jubail was launched

July 22, 2020, Navantia successfully carried out at 17:22 hours the launching of AL-JUBAIL, the first of five corvettes built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). The ceremony was held in slipway number 2 at the San Fernando shipyard, and was chaired by the Commander of RSNF, H. E. Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily; by the Chairwoman of Navantia, Susana de Sarriá; by the Acting CEO of SAMI, Eng. Walid Abukhaled; and by the Admiral of Logistics Support Bay of Cadiz of Spanish Navy, Vice Admiral Ricardo A. Hernández López (Alardiz).

The construction NB 546/828 AL JUBAIL was launched at 5:22 p.m.

The ceremony started with a Quran recitation made by RSNF officer. Then a video about the Al-Jubail city (which the vessel has been named after) was played, and a time-lapse video was shown in which several months of construction have been summarized and can be seen in Navantia’s website. The national anthems of the Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia and Spain were played thereupon.

The Commander of RSNF highlighted the importance of ALSARAWAT Project, contracted to Navantia, as one of the largest capability-acquisition programs for the RSNF which reflects a strong strategic relation between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kingdom of Spain and enlarges the cooperation between the RSNF and Spanish Navy in shipbuilding, education and training. The Commander of RSNF also indicated that the success of this project is a key factor for ambitious future projects and an enduring partnership.

He also stated that this step comes within the framework of SAMI’s strategy to support the development of the military industries in the Kingdom, as well as enhancing its strategic independence and military readiness.

The Chairwoman of Navantia highlighted Navantia’s commitment to the RSNF to replicate the successful model implemented throughout many years with the Spanish Navy, and during recent years with other navies such as the Royal Australian Navy, and provide a high capability level both to the RNSF and to the military industries sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the corvette programme and also for future projects.

Next, the ship’s Sponsor, the Commander of RSNF, ordered Capt. Abdullah Alshehri, director of RSNF PMO ALSARAWAT to cut the ribbon on his behalf, and the corvette AL-JUBAIL slid down the slipway and touched the water for the first time.

The AL-JUBAIL has a length of 104 metres/341 feet, a beam of 14 metres/46 feet and will be able to accommodate 102 people (crew and additional personnel). It will reach a maximum speed of 27 knots/31 mph/50 km/h and, among other aspects, it has the capacity to carry 21 days’ supplies on board.

The corvettes are the latest generation of successful Navantia-designed combatants, and incorporate state-of-the-art Navantia products, such as the CATIZ Combat System, DORNA Gun Fire Control System, NAVCOMS/HERMESYS Integrated External and Internal Communications System, MINERVA Integrated Navigation and Bridge System, or COMPLEX-SIMPLEX Integrated Platform Management Platform together with equipment manufactured by Navantia under license such as the Leonardo SUPER RAPID 76-mm main gun, Rheinmetall Air Defence MILLENNIUM 35-mm close-in weapon system, MTU propulsion engines and diesel generators, and RENK gearboxes.

Since the first steel cutting was made, in January 2019, all the workshops of Navantia, in San Fernando and also in Puerto Real, have been working tirelessly. AL-JUBAIL, hull number 828, has been successfully built despite the slowdown in activity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, the safety protocols for the launching ceremony required all attendees to have their temperature taken, wear a face mask and maintain the required safety distance.

For the follow-on sister ships, the objective is to recover time and meet the initial milestones, so that the second corvette can be launched in November 2020. After the launching ceremony, Capt. Abdullah Alshehri, director of RSNF PMO ALSARAWAT, witnessed the progress in the construction of ship 830 ALDIRIYAH in slipway number 3.

The corvette program, which entered into force in November 2018, strengthens the immediate future of Navantia and benefits all the company’s shipyards and its auxiliary industry, especially the entire Bay of Cádiz.

Specifically, it will suppose a global workload of around seven million hours that, translated into employment, will reach the figure of 6,000 jobs annually during the next 5 years. From these, more than 1,100 will be direct employees, more than 1,800 employees of the auxiliary industry Navantia and more than 3,000 indirect employees generated by other suppliers. There will be more than 100 auxiliary companies that collaborate in it.

The program, whose last ship should be delivered in 2024, includes, in addition to construction, Life Cycle Support for five years, from the delivery of the first ship, with the option of another five additional years.

On the other hand, the contract also includes the supply of various services such as integrated logistical support, operational and maintenance training, supply of training and training Centers for the Combat System and Platform Control System for ships, Support to the Life Cycle, previously mentioned, and the systems for the maintenance of ships in the RNSF Jeddah Naval Base.

It has been several months of work in order to meet deadlines and deliver the last of the five corvettes in 2024
Navy

Isaac Peral

Navantia has finalized, in the Cartagena facilities, the closure of the resistant hull of the S-81 «Isaac Peral» submarine for the Spanish Navy, after the union of the last section of the ship.

Navantia closes the resistant hull of S81 «Isaac Peral» submarine

The event has been attended by the General Director of Programs from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), General Salvador Álvarez Pascual; the Chief of the Cartagena Arsenal, Vice Admiral Aniceto Rosique Nieto; the Director of Engineering and Construction, Vice Admiral Manuel Martínez Ruiz; the Chief of the Logistics Division, Admiral Gonzalo Sanz Alisedo; the Head of the Naval Systems Department of the Directorate General of Armaments and Material (DGAM), Nicolás Lapique Martín, and the Head of the S-80 Program, Javier del Corral. On behalf of NAVANTIA, the Director of Operations and Business, Gonzalo Mateo Guerrero-Alcázar; the Director of the Shipyard and S-80 submarines Program, Agustín Álvarez Blanco; the Director of Navantia Sistemas, Vicente Santamaría Calvario, and the head of the S-80 Program Office, Ignacio Núñez.

The event began with a brief tour of the submarine, where the progress of the construction of both the S-81 and S-82 submarines was shown. Next, a brief presentation of the submarine’s construction process was made, after which the Director of the Shipyard of Cartagena and the General Director of Programs from the MoD have given a speech, highlighting the importance of this event and the S-80 submarines program.

The closure of the resistant hull is a crucial milestone in the construction of a submarine, as it appears as a complete vessel. Previously, the loading of all the main modules has been carried out, as well as a very high level of completion of the sections. The next step is the completion of the fitting works and the beginning of the testing stage.

This step represents a change of phase. The work in the submarine is now focused on its launching, following a formal and regulated process, based on overcoming safety milestones. This process begins with the tensioning, when the submarine begins to receive electric current; then the battery boarding, to gain autonomy in power generation, and finally the floating and the sea trials.

The scheduled date for floating is October 2020.

 

MAIN FEATURES

Length 80.81 m/265.1 feet
Total Sleeve 11.68 m/38.3 feet
Total Strut 13.69 m/44.9 feet
Diameter 7.30 m/23.9 feet
Surface displacement/immersion 2,695/2,965 t
Accommodation 32 provision + 8 special forces
Conventional submarine of high autonomy equipped with anaerobic propulsion
Extremely low acoustic signature
Excellent maneuverability at low speed
Systems with high automation
Next generation combat system
Air Independent Propulsion system (AIP) – State of the art
High complexity integrated design

 

Navy

Radar technology

Lockheed Martin recently signed a contract with Navantia to equip five new F-110 multimission frigates and their land-based test site (Centro de Integración de Sistemas en Tierra or CIST) – with Lockheed Martin’s first naval installation of its solid-state S-band radar. The new F-110 frigates will be built by Spain’s national shipbuilder, Navantia.

Spain builds on its 20-year partnership with Lockheed Martin with the selection of SPY-7, the company’s latest radar technology and combat system for the new F-110 frigates

Recently designated by the U.S. Government as AN/SPY-7(V)1, this technology is derived from current radar programs and significant Lockheed Martin investment. Variants of the SPY-7 radar will also be utilized on programs with Japan’s Aegis Ashore, the Royal Canadian Navy for the Canadian Surface Combatant program and the U.S. Government.

 

Why Does It Matter?

Providing Spain’s homeland with a defense for evolving threats, the F-110 program will further protect the country and its citizens. Equipped with the latest digital, solid-state radar technology, this crucial program:

  • Ensures Spain’s warfighters have the most capable combat system to perform new missions;
  • Strengthens Spain’s economy through industrial participation;
  • Advances Spain’s competitiveness in the global market by providing an opportunity for joint technology development;
  • Paves the way for interoperability with navies across the world, thanks to Aegis’ open architecture.

 

What’s the Technology?

The F-110 will host the first-ever naval solid-state S-band radar for the Spanish Navy. To foster the growth of Spain’s defense and technology industries, Lockheed Martin and Spanish company, Indra, will jointly provide the radar. It will go to sea as part of the Aegis Weapon System, which will be integrated with the ship’s combat management system SCOMBA, when the first frigate deploys in 2026.

The Aegis Weapon System is the most deployed combat system in the world, and its flexible system enables it to fulfill a variety of missions. Due in part to its unique open architecture design, the Aegis family continues to grow internationally as more nations around the world partner with Lockheed Martin.

 

What’s the History?

Lockheed Martin and its Spanish partners have over 20 years of experience in development, production and integration of tactical naval radar systems. Spain’s defense industry growth and expansion of their maritime defense portfolio is a mission Lockheed Martin continues to support.

In the exciting future that lies ahead, Lockheed Martin will continue to work with Spanish industry to explore new areas of industrial cooperation in radar and combat system technologies. This will help pave the way for future international sales of the F-110 frigate and new technologies, including the new S-band radar.

Navy

F-110 Frigates

The Council of Ministers has approved an agreement for the execution of the order for the construction of five F-110 frigates, for an estimated value of 4,317 million euros.

A general arrangement drawing of the sensors and weapons of the Spanish Navy’s future F-110 class of frigates (Navantia infographic)
A general arrangement drawing of the sensors and weapons of the Spanish Navy’s future F-110 class of frigates (Navantia infographic)

The object of the authorized execution order is the acquisition by the Ministry of Defense of five F-110 frigates built by the Navantia company.

At present, the Navy has two types of frigates: five of the «Álvaro de Bazán» class (F-100) and six of the «Santa María» class (FFG or F-80). The FFG frigates entered service from 1986, and all of them are in their last third of life. In 2021, they begin to their 35th year of service, so to maintain their current capabilities it will be necessary to replace them with the F-110 frigates.

The proposed program covers the need to replace the current F-80 frigates which are at the end of their operational life, so that the current capabilities of the Navy can be maintained and also cover future needs that could be derived from new operational scenarios, in which new threats and new missions are included.

This acquisition is of great economic, industrial and social relevance for the entire national industry, given the complexity of the design, the integration of its advanced systems and the construction of the platforms themselves.

The F-110 program includes the following main objectives:

  • Construction of five frigates, including the corresponding accoutrements (life jackets, interior safety equipment, mooring ropes, etc.) and first installation parts of each vessel needed to ensure safe navigation without external support.
  • Obtaining Integrated Logistic Support for the F-110 class, which entails the logistic information of the ship, the obtaining of logistic documentation (Maintenance Plan, Procurement Plan and Training Plan, technical manuals, maintenance documentation, support documentation to provisioning), as well as the necessary systems for the implementation of the Digital Model and Twin.
  • Industrial training, operation and maintenance for the personnel of the Ministry of Defense involved in the construction of ships and equipment.

The authorized enforcement order comes from the current agreement between the Ministry of Defense and Navantia, and the payment schedule begins in 2019, ending in 2032. The delivery of the first unit is scheduled for the year 2026, and the last for the year 2031.

The future F-110 frigates will be 145 meters/475.7 feet long, have a beam of 18 meters/59 feet, will displace 5,900 tonnes and have a crew of 145 people.

Their unit cost is €740 million.

Navy

Spanish submarine

Navantia, the Spanish shipyard, in its bid for the Walrus Replacement Program is proposing an adaptation to Dutch requirements and local content of the Spanish Navy S80 Plus submarine. With a modern design and a similar size to Walrus-class of about 3,000 tons, the reference design is already fully compliant with Dutch requirements including growth potential.

Navantia proposes an advanced solution for The Netherlands submarine program
Navantia proposes an advanced solution for The Netherlands submarine program

The expeditionary S-80 design is fully funded and already in production, therefore the minimal technical, schedule and financial risks provide an advantage comparing with completely new solutions. The modern design and the new yard infrastructure with a highly automated construction will lead to a solution offering substantial savings respect to any competing offer.

Navantia’s proposal is the only one offering its parent Navy solution, providing the possibility of a common fleet of eight expeditionary submarines offers sharing resources and co-operation in the fields of training, logistics support and operations, a unique joint capability within NATO. Past co-operation between the two countries with the Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment and Landing Platform Dock programs has proven to be very successful.

Navantia, through the S80 program, already has strong relationships with many Dutch naval suppliers and Dutch naval knowledge partners and during the biding process has identified numerous additional parties that will be included in the final solution. There is a clear commitment to work with Dutch naval industry and technology base to ensure full involvement and retention of Dutch submarine capabilities for the entire life cycle of the submarines.

Navantia has no exclusive teaming relations and can therefore consider sharing the construction with Damen at a later stage.

Including the evolved S-80 on the shortlist offers the best and most cost-effective solution, as well as being the benchmark for all new designs.

Navy

Spanish Furor

Navantia on Monday, January 21 handed over the Furor (P-46) Buque de Acción Marítima (maritime action ship) to the Spanish Navy at the Ferrol Shipyard. It is the sixth ship of this class built by the company.

Navantia Delivers BAM Furor (P-46) to the Spanish Navy
Navantia Delivers BAM Furor (P-46) to the Spanish Navy

The event was chaired by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, and by the President of the Galicia regional government, Alberto Núñez Feijoo, who were hosted by the president of Navantia, Susana de Sarriá.

The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, announced that the implementation order to build the new F-110 frigates that Navantia will build in the shipyards of the Ferrol estuary may be ready in the month of April. The Council of Ministers in December approved an investment plan that will enable the construction, over a period of ten years, of five frigates with a budget of 4,325 million euros.

«This will allow a major modernization of the Navy», said the minister, who highlighted that the advanced technology means the Navy’s future ships will «almost look like space vessels».

Robles estimated that the investment of more than 4,000 million euros will generate 8,000 jobs «with high qualification and projection over time», and added that that the project represents «an important investment in innovation and technology».

 

Versatility and high performance

The BAM-class ships are modern, advanced technology vessels of moderate size, providing high performance, great versatility in terms of missions, and a high level of interaction with other Navy ships, with reduced acquisition and life-cycle costs.

They incorporate all the latest measures in terms of MARPOL regulations on the environment, such as the new propulsion, auxiliary and emergency engines, as well as the TAR plant for wastewater treatment.

Likewise, they have improvements aimed at reducing the weight, new equipment, adaptation for a greater allocation and the application of updated regulations on prevention and operational safety.

Their main missions are:

  • Protection and escort of other vessels;
  • Control of maritime traffic;
  • Control and neutralization of terrorist and piracy actions;
  • Operations against drug and human trafficking;
  • Rescue operations;
  • Support for crisis situations and humanitarian aid;
  • Control of fisheries legislation;
  • Control of environmental legislation and anti-pollution.
Navy

Corvette for SA Navy

On January 15, Navantia has initiated, in San Fernando shipyard, the construction of the first corvette for the Saudi Arabia Navy. The event has consisted of the cut of the first plate of the ship, belonging to the block 401, dimensions of 12 × 2,4 meters, a thickness of 7 millimeters and a weight of 1254 kilos.

Navantia initiates the construction of the first corvette for Saudi Arabia
Navantia initiates the construction of the first corvette for Saudi Arabia

The event has been preceded by a presentation of the program by the Program Manager, counting with the attendance of delegations of the navies of Spain and Saudi Arabia, headed by the second Chief of Navy, Admiral Jose Luis Urcelay and Rear-admiral Fahad Ali Alfuraidan, respectively.

The CEO of Navantia, Susana de Sarriá, highlighted that «it is a strategic program for Navantia, that stimulates the economic activity and the employment and positions us internationally as a company that contributes to the Security and Defense. In addition, it places in the shop window a ship of high capacities that can satisfy the needs of other potential clients in this region of the world and other points of interest».

Also, she launched positive message to the workers, emphasizing that «we are going to increase furthermore our already very relevant social contribution as impellers of the creation of quality employment for Cadiz and Spanish industry».

The contract strengthens the immediate future of NAVANTIA, with benefits for all the shipyards of the company and its auxiliary industry, especially, to the whole Bay of Cadiz. Concretely, a workforce of about seven million hours that, translated into employment, will reach the number of 6000 a year, during the next 5 years, including direct and indirect employees.

The program that now starts, and whose last ship will have to be delivered in 2022, includes, besides the construction, the life cycle support for five years, from the delivery of the first ship, with option to other five additional years. The design of these last generation corvettes maximizes simultaneously Navantia’s participation by means of the incorporation of own products, as the CATIZ combat system, the HERMESYS integrated communications system, the DORNA fire control system, the control platform systems, the MINERVA integrated bridge and engines and reducing boxes.

On the other hand, the contract also includes the supply of several services such as, logistic integrated support, operational and maintenance training, supply of training centers for the combat and control of platform systems, life cycle support, and the systems for the maintenance of the ships in the Naval Base.

Navy

Supply for the RAN

Navantia has launched today the first AOR (Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment) «Nuship Supply» of a series of two, for the Royal Australian Navy, according to contract signed in May 2016.

Navantia launches Nuship Supply for the Royal Australian Navy
Navantia launches Nuship Supply for the Royal Australian Navy

The ceremony was held at the Ferrol facilities at 4:15 pm coinciding with the high tide, and has counted with the attendance of Mrs. Jenny Barrett, as the godmother of the ship, the president of Navantia, Susana de Sarriá, the Ambassador of Australia to Spain, Julie-Ann Guivarra, and the Royal Australian Navy Chief of Navy, VA MJ Noonan.

The president of Navantia was grateful to the Australian Navy for the confidence deposited in the Company that once again has demonstrated the aptitude to design and build the products and services for the most competitive markets, in time and quality. She added that launching a new ship, means that Navantia shows, once again, an enormous potential and with the upcoming Strategic Plan and the F110 frigates, will guarantee supporting these capacities in the future.

The two ships are based on the Spanish Navy ship «Cantabria» which will be tailored to fulfil specific Australian standards and requirements. The agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia also includes the sustainment of the two AOR ships for a period of five years.

This contract means a workforce of 3 million hours for this area, as well as 35,000 hours for the Cartagena shipyard derived from the engines, and 35,000 for Navantia Sistemas derived from the IPMS. That makes a total of 1,800 jobs until 2020.

Besides, this contract includes a significant amount of participation from Australian industry, with companies such as Raytheon as supplier of the Communication System, Saab Australia as supplier of the Combat System, Scientific Management Associates (SMA) as suppliers of engineering services and Baker and Provan as supplier of cranes. In relation to Support, all the sustainment activities will be performed in Australia (NSW and WA) with Navantia Australia and its subcontractors, which has been partnering with Australian companies since 2007.