KBR wins CLCM contract for RAN amphibs

Adelaide-based engineering and technology firm KBR has won the $130 million, five-year Capability Life Cycle Manager (CLCM) contract for the RAN’s amphibious and replenishment ships.

The contract will see KBR sustain Navy’s two Canberra-class LHDs, the two Supply-class AORs and the LSD HMAS Choules at Sydney’s Garden Island Defence Precinct.

This is the first appointment of a multi-class Capability Life Cycle Manager, says Defence. Appointing a multi-class CLCM will more effectively meet capability requirements, best manage resources, and provide value for money and consistency between like asset classes, the Department adds.

“The sustainment of Navy’s amphibious and replenishment ships into the future is critical to securing Australia’s maritime trade and safeguarding Australians and their economic interests,” says the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy MP.

KBR, which is a subsidiary of the US engineering and technology firm, provides the RAN with strategic asset management planning, engineering design effort and supply chain optimisation to support a more affordable and operationally available fleet, the company says. A workforce of around 100 highly skilled employees will be based at Garden Island to support the stewardship of these fleet assets which are core to Australia’s maritime and joint force operational effectiveness.

The team will be supported by Australian-based companies including Babcock Australasia, Atlantic & Peninsula and Goal Group, says KBR. The CLCM team will contribute to the continued development and growth of the nation’s sovereign maritime sustainment capabilities.

“The depth of knowledge and experience of supporting the Amphibious and Replenishment fleet in our team is measured in decades and reflects our ambition to provide both fleet availability and capability required by the Navy,” says KBR’s Vice President Government Solutions APAC Nic Maan.

“The CLCM model is one that fosters a more collaborative and transparent approach between the RAN, KBR and our team, reflecting the aspiration of Defence’s Plan Galileo and the Maritime Sustainment Model.”

The appointment of CLCMs is part of Defence’s new national approach to sustaining and optimising Navy’s ability to operate in our immediate region, it says. For industry, it provides greater certainty of work and allows industry to invest and grow their businesses, providing greater depth and regional capacity and capability, says Defence. Earlier this year KBR won a contract to support the RAAF’s future fleet of MQ-4C Tritons’ aeronautical and geospatial requirements, mission planning network development and mission planning.