Naval Group awarded sub-contracts to local suppliers for Australian submarine

The Berendsen Fluid Power and H&H Machine Tools have been selected as the first Australian partners for major equipment design contracts that will support the build of the Australian future submarine.

The two companies will deliver and sustain the medium-capacity press, high-capacity press and large-capacity milling machines (LCMM) for the Attack Class submarines.

The announcement was made by Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price.

“The awarding of these contracts supports the Morrison government’s objectives of providing sovereign support for the design, build, operations and sustainment of the fleet as well as maximising the involvement of Australian industry,” Minister Reynolds said.

Machine Tools and Fluid Mechanics

Under the deal, Seven Hills-based Berendsen Fluid Power and Melbourne’s H&H Machine Tools will partner with Pinette Emidecau Industries and Starrag Group Holding AG to become the design authority and manage the local manufacture of medium-capacity presses and a large-capacity milling machine.

“The value of work for local companies is estimated at $20 million, supporting more Aussie jobs and opportunities for small business,” Minister Price said.

“Our $50 billion investment in 12 future submarines will create thousands of Australian jobs and new opportunities for small businesses, and these contracts are part of this commitment.”

The contracts are the largest signed by Naval Group Australia to date.

“These partnerships will result in the creation of an enduring Australian capability, not currently in existence. Both H&H and Berendsen will be involved in the equipment’s full life cycle, and be transferred the knowledge, skills, documentation and tools to ensure they become the in-country sustainment partners for the next 50 years,” said John Davis, CEO, Naval Group Australia.

In the design phase, H&H and Berendsen employees will be trained overseas and draw on their local expertise to ensure the certification of design compliance for all three pieces of equipment to Australian standards. In the manufacturing phase, H&H and Berendsen will manufacture major components for the equipment, such as electrical cabinets, wiring and hydraulics.

Adelaide marine battery and engineering group PMB Defence has been awarded one of the most critical contracts let so far for Australia’s fleet of Attack class submarines.

The company and Greece’s Sunlight Systems have been awarded contracts for studies and design of the submarine’s Main Storage Batteries Stages 1 and 2.

Battery Design and Manufacturing

PMB Defence, formerly Pacific Marine Batteries, supplied batteries for the Collins class submarines, but has transformed itself in the past 30 years into a capable battery and engineering group.

The company recently announced its relocation to a new plant being built at Obsorne on the banks of Adelaide’s Port River (pictured).

Submarine builder France’s Naval Group announced that the two companies would provide design, prototyping and qualification activities for the Main Storage Batteries.

Naval Group said in a statement: “Both organisations will provide Naval Group with the data necessary to select one as the preferred MSB design for the Attack Class program in 2022.”

PMB was recently contracted to design the UK’s next generation submarine battery.

Sunlight is a recognised submarine battery designer and manufacturer with an extensive knowledge of submarines.

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