Air Warfare Destroyer Build Phase Commences

, The Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance is pleased to announce another milestone in the development of the AWD Program. 
 
The AWD Alliance (the Defence Materiel Organisation, ASC and Raytheon Australia) have now signed the Build Phase contract which commits the Alliance Participants to work together as an integrated team to deliver the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) next generation HOBART Class AWDs. The AWDs will provide air defence for accompanying ships, land forces and infrastructure in proximate coastal areas and for self-protection against attacking missiles and aircraft. 
 
Chief Executive Officer of the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance Mr John Gallacher hailed the significant milestone as further evidence that the Alliance is on track and delivering its value proposition to the Commonwealth. 
 
“While DMO, ASC and Raytheon Australia have been working together for two years now, this signing ceremony signals the beginning of a period of high intensity for the Alliance,” Mr Gallacher said. “The Build Phase will require the engagement of hundreds of Australian suppliers and the success of the Alliance will depend on our people working as one team to meet the challenges of one of the most sophisticated engineering projects underway in the global defence industry.” 
 
Chairman of ASC, Mr John Prescott, praised the AWD Alliance team for their dedication towards reaching this important program milestone. 
 
“The commitment of all Alliance participants to arrive at this historical point in the AWD Program cannot be understated. As ASC now turns to the exciting challenge of building Australia’s next generation warship, we do so with the comfort and knowledge that this dedicated Alliance team will be at the helm.” 
 
Ron Fisher, Managing Director of Raytheon Australia acknowledged the achievement, “Today's milestone is about our commitment to deliver NoDoubt Mission Assurance to the RAN through Raytheon's expertise as Australia's leading Mission Systems Integrator. We've prepared well in the earlier phases and today marks the moment when the Alliance begins building Australia's most advanced ships” he said. 
 
AWD Program Manager, Mr Warren King, joined his Alliance colleagues in underlining the significance of this milestone. “This is the first time Defence has used an Alliance contracting strategy for a major defence project and signals the beginning of a new era in defence and industry engagement”, he said. “The DMO looks forward to working as one team alongside ASC and Raytheon Australia in delivering this next generation capability to tomorrow’s Navy.” 
 
Today’s signing ceremony also celebrated the beginning of the DMO’s partnership with the HOBART Class Platform System Designer, Navantia. Navantia is one of the most advanced shipbuilders in Europe and has centuries of experience designing and building warships for the Spanish Armada and a number of international customers. 
 
While Navantia will be a subcontractor to the Commonwealth, the Design Team will be seamlessly integrated into the Alliance working environment to achieve common Alliance goals. The Alliance looks forward to the opportunity to work closely with Navantia throughout the life of the AWD Program. 
 
The AWD Program ensures the timely and efficient delivery of an affordable, effective, flexible and sustainable AWD capability for the security of Australia. The Program uses an alliance-based contracting strategy for the design and build phase. Under this alliance, the Commonwealth, ASC and Raytheon Australia, work as an integrated team to achieve project objectives. The AWD Alliance Team includes personnel from the DMO, ASC and Raytheon Australia – supported by Navantia as the Platform System Designer and a range of sub-contractors. 
 
AWD Alliance Industry Engagement Roadshow 
 
The AWD Alliance is pleased to announce it will be conducting a National Industry Engagement Roadshow in late October – early November. The Roadshow seeks to inform industry about the opportunities available to suppliers wishing to participate in the largest Defence acquisition ever undertaken in Australia.