Thales Promotes New Zealand Suppliers for Ship Upgrade

04 Agustus 2011

HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Endeavour (photo : RNZN)

Thales promotes New Zealand suppliers for ship upgrade bid Thales New Zealand is today holding an Industry Engagement Day with local businesses from marine and naval industry groups. The company will be highlighting opportunities for these businesses to participate in a major ship upgrade program for the New Zealand Defence Force.

The Auckland event will be attended by 45 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with potential work in the program ranging from support services for radar and electro-optic systems to logistics expertise and requirements management services.

“New Zealand has a wide range of very capable and innovative suppliers in the Defence arena, and we are very interested in talking to them in order to offer the Government and taxpayers a compelling, value for money solution for this project,” said Peter Beggs, Country Director Thales New Zealand.

“Our bid is premised on mature, low risk technology delivered on time by an experienced team to enhance the NZDF’s naval capabilities. Suppliers will need to have a proven track record, flexibility, and a strong focus on costs.”

Requirements for the Frigate Systems Upgrade project for the ANZAC class vessels include an upgraded Combat Management System, new sensor and radar capabilities, and associated through life support services.

Thales has extensive experience in large scale naval programs, having successfully worked with 20 different shipyards in 19 countries on combat system programs for 40 different classes of vessels.

A Government decision on approval to proceed with the project is expected by early next year.

(Thales)