How is Australia’s naval shipbuilding sector preparing for a new generation of landing craft, autonomous maritime systems and general purpose frigates?
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Paddy Gregg, chief executive officer of Austal, speaking directly from the Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference in Perth.
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Austal is one of Australia’s leading naval shipbuilders and is currently progressing the Landing Craft Medium and Landing Craft Heavy programs under the federal government’s Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement alongside continued production of Evolved Cape Class patrol vessels for the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Border Force.
Gregg discusses the timeline for construction of the new landing craft fleet, developments in sovereign supply chains and workforce growth, and Austal’s preparation for future involvement in the general purpose frigate program based on the Japanese Mogami Class design.
The podcast conversation includes the following topics:
- Construction timelines and design progress for the Landing Craft Medium and Landing Craft Heavy programs.
- Development of Australian supply chains and workforce expansion to support continuous naval shipbuilding.
- Austal’s role in the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement and preparations for future frigate construction in Western Australia.
- The ongoing production and operational success of the Evolved Cape Class patrol vessel fleet.
- Hanwha’s increased shareholding in Austal and the potential for future industrial and technology collaboration.
- Austal’s growing experience in autonomous and uncrewed maritime systems, including projects conducted in both Australia and the United States.
Finally, the discussion explores the growing importance of autonomous vessels and uncrewed systems in future naval warfare and Australia’s evolving maritime capability requirements.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team