Pacific 2010: Thales launches new business following long-awaited FFG success

Thales Australia has established a Mission Solutions business in the wake of the Royal Australian Navy's decision to accept its Adelaide-class frigates (FFGs) back into the fleet following a tortuous AUD1.5 billion (USD1.3 billion) modernisation programme.

The company unveiled its new venture – which will offer integrated platform and combat system solutions to naval customers – at the opening of the Pacific 2010 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney on 27 January.

Earlier on the same day, Australia's minister for defence, Senator John Faulkner, announced that the Defence Materiel Organisation had received the agreement of the Chief of Navy, Vice-Admiral Russ Crane, to take the four upgraded frigates into a formal programme of operational test and evaluation.

"On the basis of the significant progress that has been achieved, Project SEA1390 Phase 2.1 – the FFG upgrade project – has now been removed from the list of 'projects of concern'," Faulkner said.

Thales Australia Managing Director Chris Jenkins said: "The FFG upgrade programme is the most sophisticated and complex naval systems integration project ever undertaken in Australia. The Thales Australia team that brought the programme to a successful completion has built considerable expertise in complex systems integration, along with strong and effective working relationships with local and international industry partners.