BAE Systems and BMT win support deal for RAN’s Anzac-class frigates

BAE Systems Australia – Maritime and BMT have secured the Anzac-class Designer Support Contract (DSC) to provide ongoing engineering services and sustainment for the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigates.  

The contract, valued at A$163m ($114m) across seven years, focuses on maintaining and enhancing the operational capability of the fleet.

BAE Systems Australia – Maritime is the primary contractor for the DSC, with BMT contributing its naval engineering expertise.  

The partnership, referred to as DSC-West, will see both companies leveraging their experience from the Henderson maritime precinct in Western Australia, the base for the ships. 

The DSC-West alliance draws on BAE Systems’ involvement with the Anzac-class fleet since initial construction, which included building ten frigates, eight for Australia and two for New Zealand, between 1989 and 2006, as well as delivering two major upgrade programmes for the class.  

BAE Systems Australia – Maritime, surface ships managing director David Shepherd said: “This award marks a new chapter in Anzac class sustainment. As the company that constructed the Anzac fleet, and successfully helped deliver two major upgrade programs across the class, we’re proud to combine our experience with the expanded capabilities of BMT to deliver safe, efficient and reliable outcomes for the Commonwealth.”  

In May last year, BAE Systems and BMT established strategic partnership to submit a joint proposal for the sustainment of the Anzac Class Design Support Contract. 

Upgrades to the Anzac-class frigates take place at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia, with further engineering support provided by the Melbourne-based team.  

The first upgrade across all eight ships took place between 2010 to 2017.