Austal has enhanced its positioning for Australian and international defense programs by entering into an agreement with mission system integrator General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.

The companies aim to combine Austal’s shipbuilding, systems and support capabilities with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems’ expertise in systems integration to support future shipbuilding and sustainment programs.

Austal’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy, said the agreement would enable the companies to provide best value offerings to the marketplace.

“This agreement may involve partnerships to pursue opportunities with international governments and navies including Australian programs such as Project SEA 1180, the Royal Australian Navy’s Offshore Combatant Vessel,” he said.

The agreement builds upon existing arrangements between the companies including those for the Littoral Combat Ship Independence-variant and Joint High Speed Vessel programs. Austal is the prime contractor for those ships, while General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems designs, integrates and tests the electronic systems including the combat system, networks, and seaframe control.

“Our experience working with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems on those U.S. Navy programs over many years has been extremely positive both for Austal and our Navy customers,” Bellamy added.

“We look forward to building on that relationship and our in-house expertise to deliver similarly effective capabilities to other customers in the future,” he said.