RAN to give Aussie shipbuilders a boost

The Australian Government has announced the timetable for naval shipbuilding projects in what will prove to be the country?s largest ever naval construction worth $5.7 billion.

The idea of selecting a preferred naval ship-builder has been dropped and the government says it will ask for competitive tenders to build ?air warfare? destroyers costing a total of $4.3 billion, and large amphibious ships costing a total of $1.4 billion for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The successful tenderer for the three destroyers is to be selected by early next year and the two large transport ships by the end of the year. To help the tender process, the government-owned Submarine Corporation, South Australia, will be turned into a government business enterprise so it can bid for the naval contracts.