One of three contenders for the Australian $50 billion submarine construction contract, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has launched operations at MHI Australia in Sydney.
The Japanese shipbuilder said the aim of the new subsidiary was to “strengthen ties with Australia’s governmental institutions and economic and industrial sectors”.
News about the MHI’s Australian subsidiary come in the wake of the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull revealing details about the country’s fleet renewal plan.
Turnbull announced that Austal would be building boats from the Pacific Patrol Boats Replacement (PPBR) Project and added that the government had down-selected candidates for Australian future frigates and offshore patrol vessels.
While no information was provided on who would be building the fleet of twelve new submarines, Australian media expect the government to chose a candidate before the federal elections July 2.
The other two bidders for the submarines, German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and French DCNS already have their Australian subsidiaries.
Upon inauguration of its new strategic entity in Australia, MHI President and CEO Shunichi Miyanaga commented: “Together with the Japanese Government, MHI is participating in the process to pick a partner for Australia’s Future Submarine program. With the establishment of MHI Australia, we hope to integrate the MHI Group’s full technological strengths and experience in large-scale project management across a wide spectrum of business areas.”
“Working in lock step with the advanced initiatives being taken in Australia’s industrial and academic sectors, we will bring new waves of innovation in diverse Australian industries, so that we may grow and prosper together.”