Canberra, Australia: Navantia Australia has been awarded the Designer Support Contract to provide comprehensive design and engineering support to all Navantia-designed ships in service with the Royal Australian Navy. This landmark contract marks a significant milestone for Navantia Australia, as it is the company’s first contract held directly with the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA), underscoring its commitment to innovation and excellence in the maritime industry.
The Designer Support Contractor (DSC) for the Hobart Class Destroyers (DDGs), Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs), LHD Landing Craft (LLCs), and Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Vessels (AORs) follows a Request for Tender and extensive negotiation process with the Department of Defence.
The signing ceremony was held on March 18 at Fleet Headquarters in Sydney and was attended by Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, AM, CSM, Head Maritime Sustainment, Rear Admiral Steve Tiffen, AM, CSM, Director General Major Surface Ships, Commodore Brad Smith, CSC, Navantia Australia’s Managing Director, Israel Lozano, Chief Operations Officer, Jamie Gibbs, and DSC Program Director, Julio Pinilla.
In recognition of the significance of the contract with the Commonwealth and Navantia Australia, Navantia’s Chairman, Ricardo Dominguez Garcia Baquero, Navantia Spain’s Chief Operations Officer Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, and Navantia’s Chairman advisor and Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Javier Romero also attended the ceremony.
“This contract is the result of our experience in lifecycle support and the commitment of Navantia Australia with the Commonwealth of Australia”, said Navantia’s Chairman, Ricardo Dominguez.
Navantia Australia’s managing director, Israel Lozano said this engagement builds upon the Strategic Agreement Principles document signed between the Royal Australian Navy, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), Navantia, and Navantia Australia, which designated Navantia Australia as the Platform Design Agent for all Navantia-designed vessels.
“The DSC provides end-to-end change management and engineering services to the assets incorporated in the contract, providing Navantia Australia the platform to partner with the CoA and explore greater, innovative solutions for sustainment and asset management. The DSC scope amalgamates Navantia Australia’s extant Support Services contracts for the Royal Australian Navy’s DDGs, LHDs, LLCs, and AORs, as well as the Platform System Designer Deed into the one contractual arrangement.”
Mateo-Guererro, Chief Operations Officer of Navantia Spain said “the DSC will be a vital component to the success of the new Maritime Sustainment Model as Navantia Australia’s deep product knowledge and baseline management will facilitate design integrity throughout sustainment and continuous improvement activities. This, combined with the capability to collaborate and effectively communicate within the Enterprise environment will contribute to ensure the Navy’s fleet is assured of seaworthiness, availability of assets, and reduced cost through life.”
Appointing Navantia Australia as the single DSC entity for the incorporated assets provides the CoA the opportunity to implement cross-platform efficiencies, including in Supply Chain support and the enabling of sovereign innovation opportunities.
Navantia Australia’s Chief Operations Officer, Mr Jamie Gibbs, said the CoA’s decision to select Navantia Australia was exciting news for the company. “The DSC is the largest single contract Navantia Australia has signed in our 13 years of operation. It provides our workforce and the industry at large with long-term stability and enables us to continue growing our local footprint, keeping more engineering jobs in-country.”
The DSC framework and term provides Navantia Australia the opportunity to continue to invest in building sovereign engineering capabilities by expanding training pathways and fostering collaborations with academia and industry to equip the future maritime and Defence workforce. Navantia Australia is dedicated to enhancing Australia’s sovereign engineering capabilities through the DSC framework and looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with the CoA over the coming years.
