Projects

JP 2048 Phase 4 A/B - Amphibious Ships

The Requirement

The Amphibious Ship project is described in the Defence Capability Plan 2006-16 and is based on the refined strategic requirement defined in the Strategic Review 2003.  The project will replace the Heavy Lift Ship HMAS Tobruk and one of the Amphibious Landing Ships (either Manoora or Kanimbla) with two large amphibious ships over the period 2014 – 2015.

A desktop survey in 2003 determined that there were two LHD (Landing-Helicopter-Dock) designs which could meet the capability requirements:  the Mistral by the French Designer Armaris (now part of DCN) and a Strategic Projection Ship (BPE) by the Spanish designer Izar (now Navantia).

The Approval Process

Both designers responded to a formal Request for Information (RFI), the results of which were inconclusive.  Defence them conducted a ‘Risk Reduction and Design Study’ with the designers, major Australian shipbuilders  and a cost estimator, and followed up with Request for Quotation of cost, schedule and risk from shipbuilders.  The information and cost data obtained indicated that an overseas build could be achieved in budget, but that an Australian build could not.  The commercial, technical, schedule and cost information gained was used to inform the First Pass capability submission, which received Government approval on 9 August 2005.

Between First and Second pass the data was refined further in a Design Development Activity (Sep 2005-Mar2006) with the designers and the Australian builders Tenix (now BAE Systems Australia) and ADI (now Thales Australia).

Tenders were called in April 2006.  Tenix teamed with  Navantia to propose the BPE and ADI teamed with Armaris to submit the Mistral.  Following tender evaluation the DMO conducted an ‘Offer Definition Activity’, in which tenderers clarified their proposals to the extent necessary for Second Pass submission.  Second Pass approval for the Tenix/Navantia solution was provided on 19 June 2007 and the Commonwealth proceeded to negotiation with Tenix as the preferred tenderer. 

Following negotiations, a contract was signed between the Commonwealth and Tenix on 9 October 2007.  The effective date of the contract is 23 November 2007.

The Solution

The BAE Systems Australia (BAESA) solution centres on two Navantia-designed Amphibious Ships (LHDs),  each with landing space for six helicopters, hangar accommodation, garaging for heavy and light vehicles, a well dock capable of taking four large watercraft, 1403 personnel bunks and a fully integrated SAAB 9LV 454 Mk3E combat management system with onboard interfaces to external operational and  support elements.

The Build

The LHD hulls will be built and largely fitted out by Navantia at the Ferrol and Fene Shipyards.   Each will be transported by Heavy Lift Ship  to the BAESA shipyard at Williamstown, Victoria, where construction of the superstructure and its integration with the hull will be performed by BAESA.  The superstructure contains the high level combat and communications systems equipment that will need to be maintained and upgraded in Australia.  Saab Systems Australia will supply the combat system and integrate it with the combat management system.  BAESA will undertake the final outfit, set-to-work, docking and trials.

In-Service Support

The ships are to be supported in Australia, by Australia and from Australian resources.  The strategy to achieve this is now (2008) being developed.   After the strategy is finalised , the Program Manager will deliver a series of presentations in the major cities for the information of local industry.  The presentations will take place in each state capital and in Canberra.   An initial contract for in-service support should be in place twelve months before the first ship enters service.

The Class Name

The ships will be to the Canberra class and will be called HMAS Canberra and Adelaide, reflecting Australia’s naval heritage.  The first ships to bear these names were British-pattern cruisers which gave service in World War II, Canberra being lost in the Battle of Savo Island, whilst Adelaide sank the German blockade-runner Ramses and assisted in the overthrow of the Vichy Government of Noumea.  The second generation were US-built Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigates which served from the early 1980s into the 21st Century.

Forward Milestones

• Sep 2008 - First steel cut
• July 2009 - Whole-of-ship design reviews complete
• 2010 - Tenders called for initial in-service support contract.
• Mid – 2012 - LHD 1 hull arrives Williamstown
• Early 2014 - Defence accepts delivery of LHD 1
• Feb 2014 - LHD 2 hull arrives Williamstown
• Mid 2015 - Defence accepts delivery of LHD 2

Last updated: September 2008