Government announces two shipbuilders in running to build WA frigates

Defence has narrowed down the options for the new general purpose frigates that will be built at Henderson to either a Japanese or German design.

Depending on which is chosen, the first three will be built overseas by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries or Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, while the Henderson precinct is overhauled to allow the rest to be constructed locally.

The Government announced on Monday it had whittled its shortlist down from four options to these two shipbuilders in a highly competitive tender process.

Mitsubishi is offering one design and Thyssenkrupp has two.

The Japanese Mogami design is 133 metres long while the German MEKO-A200 is 121 metres.

Both options would carry maritime and land strike missiles, submarine detection technology, air and self-defence systems and be able to operate MH-60R marine combat helicopters.

Defence Minister Richard Marles thanked Germany, Japan, South Korea and Spain for their efforts in supporting the bid process, saying Australia saw their commitment as a reflecting of the strong relationships with those countries.

“We acknowledge the extraordinary achievement of each of these companies in manufacturing platforms recognised by the independent analysis team as the best of their kind,” he said.

The acquisition of new general purpose frigates – smaller than the Hunter and Hobart class ships – is part of a plan to more than double the size of the Navy’s fleet, drawing on the Defence strategic review and surface fleet review.

The work building them is expected to cost at least $11 billion and support thousands of skilled jobs in WA.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the program was moving at pace to make sure the Navy got the ships it needed.

The first of the new frigates is expected to be delivered in 2029.

“The rapid, accelerated work of the general purpose frigate program to date underpins the next stages of the acquisition to ensure this capability is delivered this decade, providing our Navy with enhanced anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities,” Mr Conroy said.