, PARIS: Today, DCN held a central works committee (Comité Central d'Entreprise, CCE) meeting chaired by Chairman and CEO Jean-Marie Poimbœuf. After summarising the general principles governing the group's industrial policy, the management team described the principles' application to the FREMM multi-mission frigate programme.
To ensure the programme's success, priority will be given to using the group's own shipyards and facilities while taking account of the programme's ambitious cost targets.
The FREMM contract is ambitious in shipbuilding terms in that it calls for high production rates at fixed costs, both set by the customer.
To meet these cost targets, the management team has reviewed make-or-buy options and drafted a policy based on the following principles:
– Build the frigates to meet the Navy's schedule, performance and cost targets.
– Position DCN's Lorient shipyard as prime contractor for the eight FREMM frigates on order.
– Give priority to DCN's own shipyards and facilities in all cases while taking account of the programme's cost targets.
– Adopt an industrial organisation that will allow the group to win new contracts — particularly from international customers — and accommodate the extra workload.
Jean-Marie Poimbœuf commented: “This policy provides for continuing growth in international sales of integrated warships as well as services and equipment.”
The shipbuilding phase began in late February with the cutting of the first plates at DCN's Lorient shipyard. The industrial process for the first tranche is on course for the delivery of the first-of-type in 2011. The second-of-type is scheduled for delivery 13 months later and the others at a rate of one every seven months until 2016.
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