18 December 2023
Another significant milestone for naval sustainment under Defence’s Maritime Sustainment Model has been achieved.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy announced a significant contract award on December 1, which will continue to advance the capabilities of Australia's major warships in the East.
Thales Australia Limited was appointed the Dock Operations and Reticulated Services (DORS) contractor for the Captain Cook Graving Dock at Garden Island, NSW.
Under the five-year DORS contract, Thales will work collaboratively with Commonwealth and industry organisations to bolster Defence capability.
This will create up to 30 direct Defence industry jobs and supporting a broader ship repair workforce of about 300 people in the region.
The new DORS contract will restructure sustainment delivery and will generate improved maintenance planning, asset management and cost forecasting.
Head Maritime Sustainment Rear Admiral Steve Tiffen said the contract goes beyond maintenance, and that this investment will provide secure and continuous sustainment to meet the demand resulting from naval shipbuilding, while also enhancing industry cooperation.
“This contract with Thales Australia for dock operation is key to out-of-water maintenance, repair and overhaul of all ships operating or home ported in the Sydney basin,” Rear Admiral Tiffen said.
“As the DORS contractor, Thales will provide specialist docking and reticulated services as an input to RMP East ship maintenance activities and other initiatives at Garden Island Defence Precinct in Sydney.”
Thales Australia Limited will coordinate the docking of naval vessels in support of ship maintenance and will play a key role in Defence’s national approach to sustainment under Plan Galileo.
