New partnership to pursue Australian submarine and naval shipbuilding programmes

UK defence and security electronics system specialist, SEA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with wholly Australian-owned defence company, Daronmont Technologies, a local specialist in the design, engineering, integration and support of complex high technology electronics and software-intensive systems.

Conclusion of the MoU provides a basis for the two companies to bring to Australia some of the world's most advanced combat and communications systems to specifically address Royal Australian Navy requirements outlined in the Future Submarine (SEA 1000) and Hunter Class Frigate (SEA 5000) programmes.

Initial activities will see the establishment of a specialist cell at Daronmont’s facility in Adelaide next year that will be populated by innovative SEA Training & Simulation capabilities.

Drawing upon its established UK and international business activities, SEA is well placed to bring to Australia its flexible, open-architecture communication system and vendor-independent weapons launcher systems to meet Australia’s Future Submarine and Frigate requirements.

Through the combination of their respective technology, IP and expertise, the SEA-Daronmont partnership will look to generating sustainable Australian Industrial Capability that is based on uniquely indigenous solutions, robust supply chains and whole of life-cycle support solutions.

“SEA’s objective is to bring the best of today’s technology to Australia to enable world-leading future naval combat and mission systems development,” said Steve Hill, Managing Director, SEA. “Our focus on the continual development of open sub-systems that can be applied to a range of Prime Contractor-developed platforms, is part of the reason why we are able to provide such market-leading capability.”

“The inherent synergies that have been identified between SEA and Daronmont – including our collective experience and capabilities - means that we have high confidence in our ability to deliver leading-edge technology solutions combined with recognised indigenous experience in Australia. Collectively, both of our enterprises stand in a unique and established position.”

Daronmont CEO, Ben Norris, agrees that the new partnership has potential to significantly enhance the quality of locally-sourced industry content and components for both the SEA 1000 and 5000 new military capability solutions.

“Daronmont is therefore excited by the opportunities for technology transfer and local capability growth that will be enabled through the MoU with SEA in the short term, as well as the longer-term potential to develop Sovereign Industry Capability in South Australia that can support regional export business opportunities through SEA’s established global supply chain”.

On behalf of the South Australian Government, Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price offered his “Congratulations to South Australia’s Daronmont Technologies and the UK’s SEA on their strategic partnership to work collaboratively on major Australian naval shipbuilding projects.” “South Australia is home to a strong and capable defence industry, and it’s fantastic to see our innovative local companies forging international partnerships to maximise business opportunities and play a critical role these once-in-a-generation naval shipbuilding programs.”