Development of Australia's next fleet of navy frigates is on target with BAE Systems Australia given approval to start cutting steel from December ahead of the first ship construction in 2022. The company is in the final stages of taking control of its new shipyard facility in Adelaide which it says is probably the most advanced in the world.
Its workforce has already grown to about 1000, including the first intake of apprentices, with more jobs to be added.
Chief executive Gabby Costigan said the $45 billion program to deliver nine Hunter class frigates was significant to both the defence of the nation and the contribution it would make to the economy.
Ms Costigan rejected recent reports of "slippage" in the timeline and said there was no risk of another "valley of death" in terms of jobs on existing programs being lost before new positions become available...MORE
