The Corvette combines the manoeuvrability of a Tier 2 vessel with the powerful weaponry of a major surface combatant
Austal, Civmec and Navantia Australia have partnered to offer the Australian Government a proposal to deliver six “Tasman Class” corvettes in recognition of the Navy’s urgent need for increased strike capability. Designed by Navantia, the Corvette combines the manoeuvrability of a Tier 2 vessel, with the powerful weaponry of a major surface combatant. It requires a smaller crew than larger ships without compromising on integrated anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine, electronic and asymmetric warfare capabilities, including sovereign solutions such as the Saab Australian combat system and CEA Technologies radars.
The three companies have been collaborating to develop a detailed proposal since November 2022, presented in response to the country’s 2023 Defence Strategic Review (DSR) and the independent analysis of the Navy’s surface combatant fleet. The three are updating and expanding the proposal. The vessels would be constructed entirely in Western Australia, with production able to start rapidly as work on the design is well advanced and based on an operational reference vessel.
On the collaboration, Navantia Australia Managing Director Israel Lozano said that: “Together, Austal, Civmec and Navantia Australia have a combined 58 years of local shipbuilding experience. Each partner brings a crucial component for delivering a project of this scale, with Navantia providing the design expertise, Austal the skilled workforce and Civmec the state-of-the-art facilities and experience in constructing the Arafura Class vessels. Together with Navantia’s demonstratable track record in transferring technology to build regional capability, this partnership will establish an integrated shipbuilding enterprise in Western Australia.”
Civmec’s executive chairman, Jim Fitzgerald, said, “Civmec takes pride in our state-of-the-art, purpose-built ship construction, ship repair and maintenance facility we have built in Henderson. The facility can comfortably accommodate the proposed construction drumbeat of the corvettes in addition to our existing and future contracts.”
Navantia’s proposed Corvette is based on a proven design referencing the proven Avante class family. The proposed Australian variant has several key capability characteristics important to Royal Australian Navy operations that set it apart from other corvettes. These include superior endurance and range, allowing effective regional force projection, greater seakeeping capabilities, and enhanced strike capabilities through NSM anti-surface launchers and MK-41 vertical launch system cells. The corvettes would also integrate existing Australian payloads, including the Saab 9LV combat management system, the CEA FAR OPVR radar, the newly announced Naval Strike Missiles, and the MH60-R Seahawk helicopter.
With a crew complement of less than 100, commonality with other Navantia-designed Navy ships, and standards-aligned to the Defence Seaworthiness Management System, Navantia’s Corvette significantly de-risks training and support. This means they represent the lowest risk transition into service of any ship in their class, allowing Australia to upgrade its naval capability with speed and confidence.
