Speculation BAE will move Hunter frigates to Scotland is dangerous nonsense | Craig Lockhart

Speculation that Adelaide’s $45bn Hunter frigates program could move to Scotland isn’t just nonsense, it’s absurd, writes Craig Lockhart.

The Hunter Class Frigate Program has been marred by baseless and dangerous speculations on the future of its workforce.

The latest of these rumours suggest that BAE Systems Australia may shift production from Osborne to Scotland.

This comes as we, as a company, as an industry, and as a country, await the findings and recommendations of the Australian Government’s Surface Fleet Review.

While I cannot pre-empt what the Government’s response to the review will be, I will say on behalf of BAE Systems Australia: so long as there are ships to build, we will never turn our backs on our workers at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, and our workers who are located right around Australia.

The federal government has publicly stated its commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding and we are a major partner in that endeavour.

CEO Craig Lockhart at BAE Systems Maritime Australia. Picture: James Elsby

The unnamed source of this rumour must understand the terrible effect it has on the morale and mental wellbeing of the more than 1500 Aussie workers proudly building the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigate.

I say this as a proud Scotsman – albeit one who now proudly calls Australia home – the suggestion that a decision as nonsensical as shifting production of a program the scale of Hunter to Scotland would ever be considered is, quite frankly, absurd.

This rumour is not only unfounded but also hazardous, as it sows seeds of doubt where unwavering dedication exists. So long as the federal government remains committed to Australian shipbuilding, BAE Systems Australia stands firm in our commitment to our Australian shipbuilding workforce and to delivering crucial sovereign naval capabilities.

BAE Systems Australia is heavily invested in South Australia. We are partnered with the state government and universities on a number of programs aimed at supporting STEM graduates and developing the skills of our future local workforce.

This weekend we are proudly supporting the Royal Australian Navy at the Adelaide Navy and Shipbuilding Careers Expo. Some of you reading this may be attending the expo. I can only imagine the harm that these baseless claims could do to people aspiring to a career in shipbuilding, or a role in the potential future nuclear AUKUS workforce capability.

We have effectively transferred decades of shipbuilding experience from the UK to Adelaide. Why would we put into place an entire project dedicated to bringing that experience here if we were going to then move production to the UK?

These investments wouldn’t make any sense if we didn’t have a long-term vision for shipbuilding in South Australia.

Nonetheless, among all this noise, we remain committed to supporting the federal government in delivering critical sovereign naval capabilities. The Hunter program is delivering for Australia and is central to delivering a truly sovereign capability that will benefit the nation for generations.

The fact of the matter is that the Hunter program is making real, tangible progress. Every day when I go into work and walk around the shipyard, I see steel units and blocks, digitised ship designs, and real ship product – I see the best Australia has to offer.

As someone who has spent an entire career in the defence industry and worked on some of the most complex programs in the UK, the best Australia has to offer is, indeed, the best in the world. I don’t say that lightly.

Again, let me repeat what I said last week. The “trouble” with the Hunter Class Frigate Program is not the program – it is the lack of understanding and celebration of the exceptional work being done by Australians, for Australians. I say this as someone who has chosen to live in this great country and who stands proud of what we are doing.

Craig Lockhart is managing director – maritime of BAE Systems Australia