KBR and Babcock Australasia will coordinate to deliver fleet asset management services for the Royal Australian Navy.

Led by KBR, the partnership is responding to the tender for the Amphibious Combat and Sealift, Capability Life Cycle Manager to provide naval asset management services under the Maritime Sustainment Model, according to an announcement on 17 May.

Rob Hawketts, KBR government solutions APAC vice-president, said the partnership harnesses almost 20 years’ experience of both companies across the Landing Helicopter Dock, Landing Ship Dock and Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment platforms.

“The partnership draws on the collective strengths of KBR and Babcock to ultimately deliver a better result for the Australian government and Royal Australian Navy,” Mr Hawketts said.

“No other partnership has our level of combined experience across the ACS platforms.

“KBR’s considerable and proven experience as LHD capability support coordinator, complemented by Babcock’s experience as asset class prime contractor, gives us the ‘know how’ and ‘know why’ to reduce cost of ownership and ensure the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet is available when and where it is needed.

“Combining these unique capabilities and experiences from both companies delivers the best possible outcome for the Commonwealth and reduces transition risks.

“This will allow the transformation of the Garden Island Defence Precinct to the Maritime Sustainment Model in the shortest possible timeframe with limited impact on operational availability.”

The partnership provides the Commonwealth of Australia a solution with low transition risk, based on the investment, experience, and relationships developed over many years of supporting the capability support coordinator and asset class prime contractor contracts.

Martin Halloran, Babcock Australasia strategy and future business executive director, said the partnership aligns with both company’s commitment to local industry integration and collaboration.

“Our shared commitment to developing sovereign capability provides a solution that maximises local industry participation, provides our suppliers with opportunities to drive efficiencies across multiple ship platforms, and sets the program on a sustainable availability trajectory,” Halloran said.

“These vessels are providing crucial capability across the fleet and Babcock is proud to be supporting the Navy with a proposed solution that optimises asset availability and operational readiness.”

“This is the start of a journey together and we look forward to what the future holds for KBR and Babcock.”