The Australian government awarded Saab AB a $27.6 million order for sustainment of the combat system on the country’s ANZAC-class frigates through the end of 2017.

This is the first order under the recently signed Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) between the Australian government and the defense industry. WAMA is an asset management organization responsible for the overall performance and delivery of seaworthy ANZAC-class warships and support infrastructure to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The Her Manjesty's Australian Ship (HMAS) Stuart  (III), an ANZAC-class frigate. Photo: Royal Australian Navy.
The Her Manjesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Stuart (III), an ANZAC-class frigate. Photo: Royal Australian Navy.

Other companies included in the WAMA partnership are BAE Systems and Naval Ship Management Pty Lltd., a joint venture between UGL Limited and Babcock Pty Ltd.

Within the long-term asset management agreement, Saab agrees to provide on-going engineering support services in both Western and South Australia. Saab is part of the WAMA team focused on ensuring the ANZAC-class ships remain at a high level of availability and capability for the Royal Australian Navy, the company said.

“The agreement and this order reflect our highly successful and long term commitment to the ANZAC frigate and the Royal Australian Navy,” Dean Rosenfield, managing director for Saab’s Australia branch, said in a statement.

“The ANZAC frigates are the trusted workhorse of the navy and Saab has played a major role in evolving the fighting capability of the ships over the last 20 years. We look forward to continue working with our local partners to ensure the ANZACs continue to fulfill Navy’s needs,” Rosenfield added.

Saab’s ordered service covers July 2016 through December 2017.