Aerius Marine Australia will deliver the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for the Royal Australian Navy’s first three Hunter-class frigates.
The agreement marks the final Long Lead Time Items (LLTI) contract on Batch I of the RAN’s next-generation anti-submarine warfare frigates, which are expected to enter service in the early 2030s.
As per a recent BAE Systems press statement, Aerius Marine will supply a modified version of the HVAC system, which is comprised of close to 1,000 separate elements.
The Hobart-based firm is also the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the Type 26 frigates being built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy in the U.K.
Its Managing Director Shankar Rasiah commented: “Aerius Marine Australia also looks forward to continuing their involvement in the Hunter Class Frigate Programme.
“We have been engaged to date in the design and 3D-modelling of the HVAC system, with a core team of Australian engineers and draftspersons undertaking this design work.
“These engineers and draftspersons — together with specialist engineering service providers, manufacturers and contractors, each drawn from Australia’s marine industry — will form part of the Aerius capability necessary to deliver the HVAC system for the frigates.”
And Acquisition Delivery Director at BAE Systems Maritime Australia Andy Coxall added: “We welcome Aerius Marine Australia to the Hunter Class Frigate Programme and look forward to working closely with a leading provider of global maritime HVAC solutions.
“The Hunter-class frigates are the bedrock of continuous naval shipbuilding in Australia, and we are committed to developing Australian industry capability.
“With over 80 Australian companies now contracted to supply into the first three frigates, we are on track to create and sustain more than 5,000 jobs across BAE Systems Australia and the wider defence supply chain over the life of the programme.”
- You can read more details on the BAE Systems website