Navantia Australia signs groundbreaking designer support contract for the Royal Australian Navy fleet

Navantia Australia has signed a groundbreaking designer support contract (DSC) to provide comprehensive design and engineering support for all Navantia-designed vessels in service with the Royal Australian Navy. This is the company's first contract signed directly with the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA), highlighting its commitment to innovation and excellence in the maritime industry.

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29 march 2025   |   10:19   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

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The contract covers support for Hobart-class destroyers (DDG), Canberra-class landing helicopter docks (LHD), LHD landing craft (LLC), and Supply-class auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels (AOR). The agreement follows a tender announcement and extensive negotiations with the Australian Department of Defence.

Contract signing ceremony

The contract signing ceremony took place at Fleet Headquarters in Sydney. Attendees included Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, AM, CSM, Head of Maritime Sustainment, Rear Admiral Steve Tiffen, AM, CSM, Director General Major Surface Ships, Commodore Brad Smith, CSC, along with representatives from Navantia Australia – Managing Director Israel Lozano, Chief Operations Officer Jamie Gibbs, and DSC Program Director Julio Pinilla.

The event was further distinguished by the presence of Navantia Chairman Ricardo Dominguez Garcia-Baquero, Navantia Spain’s Chief Operations Officer Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, and Navantia Chairman Advisor and Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral (Ret.) Javier Romero.

Importance of the contract for Australia’s maritime sector

- This contract is the result of our extensive experience in lifecycle support and Navantia Australia’s strong commitment to collaboration with the Commonwealth of Australia, said Navantia Chairman Ricardo Dominguez Garcia-Baquero.

According to Navantia Australia’s Managing Director, Israel Lozano, the signed contract builds upon the principles outlined in the strategic cooperation agreement between the Royal Australian Navy, the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), Navantia, and Navantia Australia. This agreement formally establishes Navantia Australia as the primary platform design agent for all Navantia-designed vessels.

- The DSC provides comprehensive change management and engineering services for the included assets, enabling Navantia Australia to collaborate with the CoA on innovative solutions for fleet sustainment and asset management, Lozano added.

Key benefits of the DSC

Navantia Spain’s Chief Operations Officer, Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, emphasized that the DSC will be a key component of the new fleet sustainment model. With in-depth knowledge of the vessel designs and configuration management, Navantia Australia will ensure design integrity and support continuous improvement processes.

The implementation of the DSC model will also optimize supply chain management and create opportunities for sovereign innovation in Australia. Navantia Australia’s Chief Operations Officer, Jamie Gibbs, highlighted the significance of the CoA’s decision to select Navantia Australia.

- The DSC is the largest single contract signed by Navantia Australia in our 13 years of operation. This agreement provides long-term stability for our workforce and enables us to expand our local presence, keeping more engineering jobs within Australia, said Gibbs.

Strengthening Australia's sovereign engineering capabilities

The DSC also presents an opportunity for further investment in Australian engineering expertise by expanding training pathways and fostering collaborations with academia and industry. Navantia Australia is committed to strengthening the nation’s sovereign engineering capabilities through this contract and looks forward to continued collaboration with the CoA in the coming years.

The signing of this contract marks a significant milestone for Australia’s defense sector, and its execution will contribute to enhancing the operational capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy fleet.

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