Adelaide must win offshore patrol vessel contract or we’ll lose submarines, Martin Hamilton-Smith says

FAILURE to guarantee Adelaide construction of offshore patrol vessels could cost the state building contracts for future frigates and submarines, the State Government says.

Anzac-class frigate HMAS Anzac (150) passes HMAS Ballarat (153) during a transit through Cockburn Sound in Western Australia on the way to Fleet Base West. *** Local Caption *** The Anzac Class is based on the German Meko 200 frigate design with eight ships being constructed in Australia as part of the overall plan to upgrade the Royal Australian Navy. Anzacs are long-range escorts with roles including air defence, anti submarine warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. The ships are capable of countering simultaneous threats from the air, surface and sub-surface. Powered by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion plant permits speeds in excess of 27 knots with an operational range of more than 6000 nautical miles.

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FAILURE to guarantee Adelaide construction of offshore patrol vessels could cost the state building contracts for future frigates and submarines, the State Government says.

The Federal Government will tomorrow release its long-awaited Defence White Paper, which maps out the future plan for the nation’s defence including ship constructions.

SA Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith today said he feared there were moves afoot to grant WA the offshore patrol vessel build and weaken SA’s claim for frigates and subs.

The Federal Government last year, under former prime minister Tony Abbott, committed to a steady stream of new construction of Australian ships and it would be based around Adelaide.

Mr Hamilton-Smith today said the white paper must be “a plan of action, not book of promises”.

He pointed to the Coalition’s wavering commitment to a 2013 election promise that it would build 12 submarines as evidence the Federal Government could not be taken on its word.

“We’ve had the promises before. What we really need to see tomorrow is a plan of action, particularly with ships,” he said.

“We need to see where, when and how much. If that information is in the white paper, I think we’ve got some guidance.

“If it’s not, then we’re still in doubt and we’ll still be having these debates years from now.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith said the patrol vessels would come before future frigates and submarines, creating 800 jobs which were needed to maintain employment and capacity in local industry.

“It’s due to start in 2018. If that work is coming to Adelaide, it gives our workers and our industry here some hope,” he said.

“It’s the basis on which we will then build for the frigate.

“If, however, the offshore patrol vessels are built in Perth, then Perth will be best placed.”

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall welcomed reports Australia would build 12 subs.

“Australia’s next generation of submarines will be critical to our nation’s defence capabilities and for employment opportunities in South Australia,” he said.

“The State Liberals are firmly of the view that future submarines for the Royal Australian Navy should be constructed at ASC.

“The Federal Government must fulfil their commitment to build these submarines in SA.”

Mr Marshall said: “We also need to secure work on the frigates and OPVs”.

“I have been lobbying the Federal Government on the benefits of building the future submarines in Adelaide, including having regular meetings with the Prime Minister,” he said.

“It’s also in our nation’s best interests that a continuous ship building program is based in Adelaide.”