ANTI-SHIP MISSILE DEFENCE PROJECT ACHIEVES MILESTONE

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, the Hon. Greg Combet MP, today announced that the ANZAC Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) Project has successfully demonstrated CEA Technologies’ CEAFAR active phased array multi-function radar in a ship at sea.

The ASMD project involves a comprehensive upgrade of the ANZAC Frigates including the addition of new phased array radar technology designed by local Australian company CEA Technologies.

The phased array radar was temporarily installed in an ANZAC Frigate, HMAS Perth, undertaking aircraft tracking trials off the coast of Western Australia.

“This sea demonstration of the CEAFAR capability is an early part of the Commonwealth’s risk mitigation strategy to ensure the integrity and maturity of the active phased array radar system in advance of the first ship installation in 2010,” said Mr Combet.

“The radar performed beyond expectations and the success of the sea trial is a very encouraging outcome in the development of this high-technology, high capability radar system.”

The sea demonstration followed a successful land-based demonstration of the same production hardware at CEA Technologies’ Canberra facilities on 6 November 2008. The radar faces used in the demonstration were from the first production run and had been delivered on schedule from the company’s production line in July 2008.

The first ANZAC ship to undergo the upgrade is HMAS Perth scheduled to start in January 2010 and complete sea trials in July 2011.

“The ASMD Upgrade Project will ensure the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Frigates have an enhanced level of self-defence against modern anti-ship missiles. It will also enhance the ANZAC Frigates’ ability to provide close-in protection to an amphibious maritime task group, supporting the Royal Australian Navy’s future Air Warfare Destroyer area air defence capability.

“This project has experienced delays so it is pleasing to see this milestone achieved. However, much work remains to be done and the Government will continue to closely monitor the progress of this project.”

Media contacts:

Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):                    02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619

Defence Media Liaison:                         02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664