Marand to manufacturer missile launch ramps for navy’s Anzac-class frigates, Hobart-class destroyers

They’ve built engine trailers and tail wings for the multi-billion-dollar F35 stealth aircraft program. Now Geelong-based Marand has locked in work for a navy missile program.

Marand will manufacture missile launch ramps that will be fitted to the navy’s Anzac-class frigates, pictured.

A Geelong manufacturer working out of the city’s former Ford factory has won another significant defence contract that will see it play a crucial part in the launch of navy missiles.

Marand, which has manufactured engine trailers for the multi-billion-dollar F35 stealth aircraft program for more than five years, has won a contract to provide missile launch ramps to Kongsberg Defence Australia, which will build the weapons.

The lunch ramps will be built at the former Ford factory and be put onto the Navy’s Anzac-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers next year.

Geelong-based manufacturer Marand has won a contract to build launch ramps for strike missiles, pictured.

Marand CEO Rohan Stocker. Picture: Alan Barber

Marand,which has also built tail wings for the F-35, will use its speciality in precision welding and large-scale manufacturing to contsruct the launch ramp.

The company will start manufacturing the ramps almost immediately and will leverage a $1.76m grant from the previous federal government issued last year to provide hardware and software needed to build high-grade ballistic steels.

Marand chief executive Rohan Stocker said improvements in welding fabrication had to be constantly made to meet the defence force specifications.

“Marand has recognised for some time that increased capability in welding fabrication methods will be highly relevant to future maritime and land programs,” Mr Stocker said.

“After many years of successful exports to Kongsberg in Norway as part of the F-35 program, we are delighted to be engaged directly with Kongsberg Defence Australia and contribute to the increase of strike capability for the Royal Australian Navy”.

Kongsberg Defence Australia’s general manager John Fry said the missiles it would produce were highly capable, long-range projectiles with precision strike ability.

“As we increase our Australian presence, Kongsberg Defence Australia is focused on expanding our local manufacturing base, and partnering with key suppliers such as Marand, to deliver high-quality competitive sub-assemblies into our final production line,” Mr Fry said.

In a separate work, Marand has partnered with Rheinmetall Defence Australia to develop the Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle should it be selected for the Land 400 Phase 3 program.

The Australian Defence Force project is worth between $18.1bn and $27.1bn.

The future of the contract will depend on the results of a review of defence capability that will be released before May 9.

Marand and Rheinmetall are competing against ­Hanwha Defence Australia to secure the contract with Hanwha promising to deliver the project at Avalon if successful.

­Hanwha Defence Australia has already won a $1bn contract to build military guns at Avalon.

If the Rheinmetall-led bid is successful some manufacturing would take place in Geelong.

Originally published as Marand to manufacturer missile launch ramps for navy’s Anzac-class frigates, Hobart-class destroyers