BAE Systems signs contract with Royal Australian Navy for Nulka anti-ship missile defence systems

: Posted On Saturday, 04 October 2014 11:44

Naval Forces News - Australia

BAE Systems signs contract with Royal Australian Navy for Nulka anti-ship missile defence systems

BAE Systems has signed a A$28 million contract with the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation’s Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Program Office for SEA 1397 Phase 5B, the upgrade of the Nulka launch sub-system.

Nulka is an anti-ship missile defence system and BAE Systems is the prime contractor responsible for design, development and integration of the Nulka system.

Under the contract, BAE Systems will design and qualify an upgrade to the existing Nulka launch sub-system for a series of existing and new Royal Australian Navy ships, including the ANZAC Class Frigates, the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers and the Canberra Class Amphibious Ships.

Steve Drury, Director Aerospace, BAE Systems, welcomed the signing of the SEA 1397 Phase 5B contract and said it was a testament to the success of Nulka and BAE Systems Weapons business.

“This is a significant milestone for the Nulka program – the delivery of this capability will assure that the next generation of RAN warships will have the most effective soft-kill anti-ship missile defence,” said Mr Drury.

The contract will commence on 1 October 2014 and work will be undertaken at BAE Systems Richmond facility through the Weapons Systems business.

Nulka is deployed on more than 140 surface combat ships in the US, Canadian and Australian navies and is also Australia's largest and most successful regular defence export.

The Nulka system also relies on a strong Australian supply chain and supports high-tech manufacturing in regional centres through the involvement of suppliers including Milspec Engineering, Thales Australia and Varley.