JFD Australia, part of James Fisher & Sons PLC, provider of the submarine rescue system to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) since 2009, will continue to deliver this critical sovereign capability for a further four years after finalising an extension to its contract with the Department of Defence.
The announcement ensures total continuity of this life-saving service which is on standby and “rescue ready” at all times to retrieve the crew of a disabled submarine anywhere in the world from JFD Australia’s national headquarters and advanced support centre at Bibra Lake, in Perth, Western Australia.
“Keeping our submariners safe has always been our number-one priority and we are very pleased to be able to continue this commitment and support to the Navy,” said Ms Cathy Falkiner, managing director, JFD Australia.
“Importantly, JFD is able to both operate and sustain all elements of the system which includes the piloted rescue vehicle that dives down to locate and transfer submariners from under the water to the ocean’s surface and a state-of-the-art hyperbaric equipment suite that can provide life-saving medical treatment, if needed.
“Only JFD has the capability and track record to deliver a complete submarine escape and rescue system as well as adequately operate and sustain the system to global benchmarks.”
JFD Australia’s rescue system is designed to be air-transportable which is a crucial aspect of submarine rescue in a country and region where size, geography and local conditions can be challenging.
Of the six air-transportable submarine rescue systems in the world, JFD has the contracts to supply and support four of them – Australia, India (two systems), and the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) making JFD the world’s leading provider of submarine rescue systems.
“Receiving this contract extension means we can really plan for the future and that starts with creating more local jobs,” said Ms Falkiner.
“There will be employment opportunities at JFD Australia and potentially across our supply chain companies in what is a major investment in local economies and the local defence industry.”