Australia selects Saab 9LV Combat System for new Mine Warfare & Hydrographic Vessels

 

RAN's upcoming Mine Warfare vessels will also use Lurssen's OPV80 design similar to the Arufare-class OPVs. Photo c/o Lurssen.

The Australian Department of Defence (DOD) confirmed that they have selected Saab’s 9LV next generation combat management system (CMS) for its new class of Mine Warfare and Hydrographic Survey Vessels for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

This would be the fifth and sixth class of ships in the RAN to use Saab’s CMS, after the ANZAC-class frigates, Canberra-class landing helicopter docks, the Supply-class replenishment vessels, and the upcoming Arufara-class offshore patrol vessels. 

Saab will also be involved in interfacing works for the upcoming Hunter-class frigates and the existing Hobart-class destroyers of the RAN.

The new Mine Warfare Vessels, which will use the Lurssen OPV80 design also used on the the Arufara-class OPVs, are acquired under the Project SEA 1905 Maritime Mine Countermeasure Program, and are expected to start replacing the Huon-class mine warfare vessels of the RAN starting in mid-2020s. 

The new hydrographic survey vessels will replace the existing Leeuwin-class ships under the Project SEA 2400 Phase 1 Hydrographic Data Collection Capability Program.

Saab’s 9LV Combat Management System is among the most widely used globally, with over 200 warships operating the system, with many more in the pipeline. 




[1] ADBR
[2] Australian Defence Magazine