Austal receives approval as Australia's strategic shipbuilder

Operation of the SSA

As the prime contractor, Austal Defence Shipbuilding Australia will be ultimately responsible for all aspects of the design and integration, construction, installation, integration, testing, delivery and acceptance of the nominated vessel programs, while ensuring that each is conducted in a cost-effective manner while implementing, "progressive cost reductions and efficiency improvements in the build process," according to Austal.

The conditions of deed establishing the SSA will have an initial maximum term of 15 years.

Austal Defence Shipbuilding Australia will be established and resourced to be committed to defence shipbuilding for the Australian Government. However, Austal and its other subsidiaries will continue to carry out other shipbuilding and sustainment activities across Australia, Asia and the USA.