Babcock Australia has secured a A$129-million, five-year deal from the Australian government to continue supporting the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate fleet. Under the contract, the company will undertake engineering, asset-management, and supply-chain activities designed to maintain the ships’ readiness and seaworthiness until they reach the end of their operational lives. Saab Australia will partner with Babcock, bringing expertise in both the Anzac-class frigate and its combat-management systems, while also contributing an experienced sovereign workforce. Eight Anzac-class frigates remain in Australian naval service, having entered service from 1996 to 2006. Their eventual replacement will come from Australia’s new general-purpose frigate program based on an upgraded Japanese Mogami-class design, with the first new ship scheduled for delivery in December 2029. The sustainment agreement is expected to support more than 70 defence jobs across Western Australia and New South Wales. Babcock will additionally engage small and medium-sized enterprises for spare-parts supply and asset-management work.
