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Winning design for Australia’s $10b general purpose frigate not expected until 2026​

A
By Andrew Greene​

A decision on which country will build the Australian Navy's next fleet of warships is not expected to be made until next year.
Defence is evaluating competing bids from Japan and Germany for the $10 billion general purpose frigate program which will begin with an offshore build before moving to Western Australia.
Industry figures expected a winner announced in the second half of this year, but Deputy Defence secretary Jim McDowell told senate estimates last night he's expecting a "government decision it the first quarter of next year".

"It's an extremely aggressive program. You know we started it, we're going to do a complete evaluation of a complex warship from start to finish in just a little bit over two years. It would normally take us seven, eight, nine or ten years in the past."

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Defence first assistant secretary Sheryl Lutz told the senate committee hearing they're still seeking further information from both international bidders.

"Then we'll go out, the plan is to go out to an RFT (Request for Tender) to get tender quality pricing so we can go to what is called second pass in quarter one next year."

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But speaking to reporters in Geelong today, minister Richard Marles said he wanted a decision made "this year".