Call for new authority to oversee $45bn shipbuilding project
FORMER state defence minister Martin Hamilton- Smith says concerns about the reliability and performance of the Future Frigates being built by BAE Systems are “very worrisome’’ and there is a chance South Australia could “lose the lot’’ if problems are not ironed out.
The Australian reported on Tuesday that an internal defence department report has warned the $45bn Hunter-class frigates will be “substantially’’ slower, have a shorter range than originally intended and could be vulnerable to detection by enemy vessels.