BAE to upgrade rest of ANZAC fleet

BAE Systems Australia has won a $270 million contract to add the Project Sea 1442 Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) capability to Australia’s seven remaining ANZAC class frigates, after the successful upgrade, trials, and service release of HMAS Perth earlier this year.

The work, which requires the replacement of the forward and aft masts on all ships, is scheduled to get underway in late 2012 at BAE’s Henderson yard in Western Australia, and will see up to 240 jobs created at henderson at at BAE’s Williamstown yard in Melbourne.

The project sees the installation of the CEA Phased Array Radar, the Vampir NG Infrared Search and Track system, the Sharpeye Navigation Radar System and an upgraded Saab Combat Management System including an improved operations room layout.

The announcement has also coincided with the ASMD project being removed from Government’s projects of concern list after a recommendation by acting CEO of the Defence Materiel Oranisation, Warren King.

The upgrade of the seven vessels is expected to run through 2017, and its total value is more than $650 million.