The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will purchase new, smart sea mines to reinvigorate Defence’s maritime mining capability. The sea mines can be deployed from submarines, ships and aircraft.
Following market evaluation in 2022, RWM Italia was selected as the market leading solution to provide the capability. RWM Italia demonstrated the ability to produce the quantities of sea mines needed, and the technical capability to meet ADF strategic objectives.
Rapidly deployable and technologically sophisticated, the smart sea mines will provide a new level of deterrence to potential adversaries.
The contract includes provision for the transfer of technology and expertise to Australia to enable local manufacturing and maintenance. This includes potentially providing electronics services and recurring maintenance and, potentially filling sea mines with Australian-made explosives and assembling them in Australia.
Delivery is expected to commence in 2023. The quantity and types of sea mines that Defence will acquire remain classified.
For further information please contact the Project team at SEA.2000@defence.gov.au.