Babcock's Marine & Technology Division CEO Archie Bethel
addressed an audience of defence industry leaders at a Defence SA
dinner yesterday, outlining the UK's recent experience in naval
shipbuilding and specifically the building of the new Queen
Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, and its relevance and interest
to the Australian maritime industry as it moves into a
multi-billion dollar investment programme.
The event, held in Sydney in conjunction with Pacific 2012, was
hosted by General Peter Cosgrove, Chairman of the Defence SA
Advisory Board, with speakers including the Hon Jack Snelling MP,
Treasurer in the South Australian Government and Minister for
Defence Industries.
Inviting Archie Bethel to speak on naval shipbuilding in the UK
from an industry perspective, General Cosgrove pointed out that
despite the gradual diminishing of naval capability in recent
times, the UK still boasts one of the most effective navies in the
world for its size, and a shipbuilding industry that is still
globally acknowledged for its expertise and abilities. He
added that Australia and the UK have always shared experiences and
learned from each other, and the realm of shipbuilding and
sustainment is no exception.
Bethel focused on the enterprise approach being applied to the
naval sector in the UK including the building of the UK's new Queen
Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, being delivered by the Aircraft
Carrier Alliance (ACA) - an alliance between Babcock, BAE Systems,
Thales and the UK Ministry of Defence. Assembly of the
carriers by Babcock began in September 2011 at Babcock's Rosyth
dockyard when the first centre block section was lifted onto the
lower mid block, marking a major milestone in the project.
The carriers are being built in large individual blocks at six
shipyards around the UK, which are then transported to Rosyth for
final assembly and integration.
Bethel outlined the strategic approach being taken to new build
and sustainment whereby alliances have been formed for both
submarines and surface ships. It is recognised that MoD,
Royal Navy and industry must work toward common outcomes with a
strong emphasis on platform availability. There are several
parallels with the situation in Australia, in particular Collins
submarines and the new Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers.
Speakers at the dinner also outlined the importance of a
national shipbuilding industry to Australia (which will be
investing in the order of $250 billion on maritime capability over
the next 30-40 years, in the form of air warfare destroyers,
landing helicopter docks, offshore combatant vessels, future
submarines and future frigates), and looked at the changes needed
in the shipbuilding sector to ensure government maintains
confidence in the industry over the long term.
The dinner, which was attended by delegates from both government
and industry, took place on the eve of the Pacific 2012 event.