Two Upgraded Frigates Accepted

As a mark of yet another significant milestone in the FFG Upgrade program, Thales celebrated the acceptance of two upgraded FFGs, HMAS DARWIN and HMAS SYDNEY by the Defence Materiel Organisation.>> In what was described by leading defence writer Ian McPhedran as one of the biggest comebacks in defence project history', the two ships will now undergo sea trials before being declared ready for operational deployment, likely in mid 2009.>> HMAS MELBOURNE is expected to achieve final acceptance early next year whilst HMAS NEWCASTLE is scheduled for handover in December 2009.>> Speaking at the acceptance ceremony on 18 November, managing director Chris Jenkins described the upgraded frigates as the most capable FFG-class ships in service anywhere.>> The FFG upgrade has significantly enhanced the capability of the FFG fleet to see them through to the end of their effective service life, especially in self-defence against anti-ship missiles.>>> Thales and Thales Australia is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales's leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems.>> Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of AUD19 billion.>> Thales Australia is the leading defence systems and engineering company in Australia and is also present in civil sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing 3,700 people in over 35 sites around the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues in 2007 amounting to over AUD1 billion.