On April 7, 2020 I wrote:
"Due to announced future spending of more A$200 Billion on COVID-19 the Australian Government will eventually announce severe payment delays in big ticket naval defence projects....including the...9 x Hunter class future frigates to cost more than A$35 Billion for the RAN...Major contractors, including...BAE Systems (Hunter class), will find their projects may be delayed 2 to 5 years."
On July 6, 2021 Andrew Tillett, for the Australian Financial Review (AFR), reported:
"The start of construction of the navy’s $44 billion new fleet of [Hunter-class] frigates is poised to be pushed back for up to 18 months after the Morrison government agreed to delay the project because of issues with the design.
Work building the first frigate may not start in Adelaide until 2024 [instead of "2022 as planned"]
...Defence Department officials had foreshadowed at Senate estimates in May [2021] that the project was facing hurdles because of coronavirus-related disruptions and continuing design issues.
...The first of the nine frigates is meant to be finished by 2029 and in service in 2031."
SEE THE WHOLE AFR ARTICLE
Pete Comment
Delays over the Hunter class project may not necessarily be a bad thing. Originally they were to be commissioned from 2027. This would have been premature for many of the preceding Anzac class frigates which would have served less than 30 years.
But first Hunter in service in 2031 (or more likely later) will mean many of the Anzacs will exceed their 30 year Use By dates.
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Whether Covid causes a delay in the Attack class submarine program remains to be seen. But I suspect yes, it would have. This is especially as Covid has struck France more severely than Australia.
I'm assuming Covid has caused some delay in the Attack class design work taking place at Naval Group's complex at Cherbourg. See: "Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: The Naval Group Cherbourg site specialises in the design, construction, assembly, testing, dismantling and deconstruction of submarines."