Australia Shortlists Navantia for the Nine Frigates Program

The Australian government announced on April 18 that Navantia, along with Fincantieri and BAe, has been shortlisted as finalists for the awarding of the nine frigates program, with the contract expected to be signed in 2018 and construction set to begin in 2020. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, along with Defense Minister Marise Payne, announced Navantia's progression to the next phase of the program.

This involves nine ships that would be built at the Adelaide shipyard (Australia), where Navantia already has a significant presence in the program for the three AWD destroyers, for which it took on the responsibility of leading the construction and testing in December 2015.

Navantia was contracted in 2014 to conduct studies for the future Australian frigate, the results of which demonstrated the viability of the F-100 platform for the future frigate program, playing a crucial role in Navantia's selection as a potential designer. Navantia's alternative represents a continuity line with the AWD program, both from a product (commonality) and industrial perspective, with the processes introduced by Navantia at the Adelaide shipyard.

The selection of Navantia, immediately following its announcement as the preferred candidate for the construction of the two logistics ships (AOR) last month, which has already been confirmed for two ships to be built at the Ferrol shipyard, marks an important milestone for the future of the Spanish public company in Australia.

The future frigates project represents the most significant surface naval program that Australia will undertake in its history. If Navantia wins, it would secure its presence and consolidation in this country for the next 25 years, with great potential for future opportunities.

Photo: Navantia