“Talk of new valley of death”? Really?
Where are all these 100s or 1000s of fully trained shipbuilders that are sitting on their bums doing nothing? Where?
Let’s have a look at Osborne projects:
* Collins class - current workforce perform FCD and will shortly start LOTE
* SSN - workforce doesn’t yet exist, has to be built and grown
* Hunter class - workforce being built (block prototyping, etc) but will need to grow substantially for real production which starts 2024.
* OPV - production will start to wind down soon
* DDG upgrade - starts shortly after OPV project ends, I would imagine the OPV workforce will either move/split across to the DDG and Hunter builds.
The existing work force needs to grow for the current and planned projects, where is the valley of death? Where?
Current Henderson projects:
* Patrol Boats - Austal currently building two PB classes, Austal also has commercial projects, PB projects come to an end shortly
* Collins class - ASC perform MCD and other sustainment
* Anzac class - BAE workforce, AMCAP comes to an end shortly, sustainment continues, possibly further upgrades?
* OPV x 10 - Civmec workforce employed up to approx 2030
Projects to start between now and 2030:
* Mine warfare/Hydrographic ships x 8 - based on OPV, likely to be built by Civmec, or in their build hall alongside OPV fleet
* Joint Support Ships x 2 - one to replace Choules, one additional
* Ocean Protector replacement
* Undersea Surveillance Support ships - size and number unknown?
* Forward Support vessel - size/configuration unknown?
* Replacement LHD (LCM-1E) landing craft
* Army watercraft - LCM8, Large Landing Craft (LCH replacements), Riverine Patrol craft
Again I ask, where is this new valley of death? Where are all these trained shipbuilders sitting on their bums?