The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, the UK Secretary of State for
Defence, was accompanied by Australia’s Minister for Defence, the Hon
Stephen Smith, MP; Australia’s Chief of Defence Force, General David
Hurley, AC, DSC; Australia’s Defence Secretary, Mr Dennis Richardson, AO and other defence personnel from both the United Kingdom and Australia.The visit was hosted by Austal’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy, who said it was an honour to receive such an important delegation.“We are delighted that Secretary Hammond and the Australian
defence leadership decided to include Austal in a busy schedule centred
around the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN),” he said. “The visit reflects Austal’s status as a global defence prime contractor.”Mr Bellamy; Austal’s Vice President – Defence, Davyd Thomas; and
other senior Austal personnel briefed the visiting party on Austal’s
activities in ship design and construction; systems development and
integration; and in-service support. This included updates on Austal’s
role as prime contractor for the US Navy’s multi-billion dollar
Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Joint High Speed
Vessel (JHSV) programs, as well as the Cape Class Patrol Boat project
being undertaken for the Australian Customs and Border Protection
Service. Austal’s expanding international vessel support network was
also discussed in detail.The visit included a tour of the first Cape Class Patrol Boat, which
was recently launched at the shipyard, and a 102 metre Austal trimaran.
These demonstrated the advantages of high speed vessel and systems
technology very similar to that used in the LCS, JHSV and other Austal
defence programs.
WORLD SHIPPING
17 January 2013 - 10:55
UK Defence Delegation Visits Austal (Australia)
The visit was hosted by Austal’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy, who said it was an honour to receive such an important delegation.
WORLD SHIPPING
17 January 2013 - 10:55
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