A new era of ship sustainment

23 September 2024

Senior Defence leaders and industry partners officially launched the Destroyer Enterprise at the Osborne Naval Shipyard recently, ushering in a new era of evolution and sustainment for the Hobart-class air warfare destroyers HMA Ships Hobart, Sydney and Brisbane.

Defence representatives and Australian industry partners BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Thales, Saab, Raytheon and Navantia formally signed the Enterprise Charter, affirming a commitment to partnership under values of respect, openness, teamwork, professionalism and collaboration.

Under the charter, the enterprise will focus on maintaining and enhancing the air warfare destroyers on time and to a high standard, ensuring the class continues to meet the requirements of Navy.

The establishment of the enterprise highlights the importance of collaboration between Defence and industry, as part of the investment to enhance the lethality of Navy’s surface combatant fleet as directed by Government earlier this year.

Speaking at the launch event, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group Jim McDowell the enterprise was a way to enhance engagement with key industry partners to ensure successful sustainment of Navy capabilities.

“The launch of the Destroyer Enterprise secures an investment in the Navy’s air warfare destroyers, and highlights the fundamental role of industry collaboration in advancing capability, to ensure the fleet can fight and win at sea,” Mr McDowell said.

“As a three-ocean nation dependent on our sea lines of communication, we are committed to working with industry in the sustainment of Navy’s air warfare destroyers, ensuring they continue to play a key role in our surface fleet and contribute to a fully integrated and more capable ADF.”

A key element of Plan Galileo, the signing of the charter demonstrates the intent to fully implement the updated Maritime Sustainment Model (MSM) and ensure ships can be deployed where and when they are needed.

The enterprise follows the announcement of BAE Systems Australia as the capability lifecycle manager of the Hobart-class destroyers and Thales Australia as the regional maintenance provider – East, bringing the MSM to life and seeking to modernise the traditional approach to ship sustainment by the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group.

It brings to bear a partnership between Defence, industry and Navy – fortifying the future of Navy’s three destroyers.