Schneider Electric wins major subs contract and seeks local supplier support
In a major win for local industry, Schneider Electric has won a huge defence contract for the Attack class submarine fleet and is calling on Adelaide manufacturers to be involved.
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Schneider Electric is seeking local suppliers to be involved in the $50 billion Future Submarines program after winning a major contract from lead contractor Naval Group.
Schneider has been awarded the second major subcontract to manufacture equipment for the next generation submarines.
The company, which owns Adelaide brand Clipsal, will build the Main Direct Current Switchboards for the submarines, and said today it will manufacture them in Australia.
While the first “pre-qualification” switchboards will be built in France, Schneider said it intends to build all subsequent devices in Australia.
“While the contract is directly with Schneider Electric France, the company will transfer capabilities to its Australian entity, Schneider Electric Australia,’’ Naval Group said.
“This will provide opportunities to bring new knowledge, advanced technology and skills to Australia and ensure the sustainment of the Main DC Switchboards in-country.’’
“In its proposal to Naval Group, Schneider Electric France proposed to build the pre-qualification Main DC Switchboards for the Attack class submarine fleet at its facilities in Grenoble, France. All remaining Switchboards for the fleet and the Land Based Prototype facility would be built in Australia through their existing Australian subsidiary Schneider Electric Australia.’’
Schneider’s Australia president Gareth O’Reilly said an Australian “kick-off” team had been working on this project for two years already and the team would now expand.
“While the contract is directly with Schneider Electric France and they will transfer appropriate capabilities, this project delivers significant work for our local suppliers in manufacturing, fabrication and material supply, based in Adelaide and across Australia,’’ Mr O’Reilly said.
“We are very proud of the work we do for customers across Australia in many industries. Whether it’s the MCG, Sydney Metro or the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, we share our expertise to bring bold ideas to life.’’
Schneider Electric Australia will be seeking local suppliers for the following equipment and services:
• Fabrication of the switchboards (Land Based Facility and Series); and
• Heat Exchangers manufacturers.
The prototype of the Main DC Switchboard will be integrated in the Propulsion Land Based Test Facility, the first building to be built in the Submarine Construction Yard in Adelaide, Australia.
The Main DC Switchboards supply power from the submarine’s batteries and diesel generators to the many systems inside the submarine, Naval Group said.
“These switchboards are a critical component of the submarine and have significant impact on the arrangement studies and performance of the submarine.’’
Schneider said it plans to:
• train its locally based engineering and technical management staff during the design and build of the first switchboard, and transfer manufacturing, quality control and factory acceptance testing capabilities to Australia;
• manage the build and sustainment from the second switchboard onwards in Australia including program management, asset management, product life cycle management, sustainment and integrated logistics support;
• source the fabrication of the switchboards and heat exchangers, including the production of land based switchboard prototypes, and non-commercial components, from Australian suppliers; and
• establish Schneider Electric Australia to act as the design authority for the sustainment (upkeep, upgrade and update) of the Subsystem.