Babcock awarded New Zealand Defence Force contract

Babcock press release

As the Strategic Maritime Partner to the NZDF, Babcock will provide asset management services, including engineering, project management, production, and operational support, to the entire Royal New Zealand Navy fleet, from the frigates through to small craft.

The contract was signed by the Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Kevin Short, and Babcock‘s New Zealand General Manager, James Morton in Wellington this week.

“We are very proud of our long-standing partnership with the NZDF and of our contribution to keeping New Zealand and its Pacific partners safe and secure. This award is a further demonstration of our commitment to continue to strengthen the breadth of our support to regional maritime capability in New Zealand, Australia, and the broader Asia-Pacific region.”

David Ruff, Babcock Australasia CEO

“This award is a further demonstration of our commitment to continue to strengthen the breadth of our support to regional maritime capability in New Zealand, Australia, and the broader Asia-Pacific region.”

Air Marshal Kevin Short highlighted the collaborative nature of the partnership with Babcock: “One of the unique elements of the contract is that these services are delivered by a team comprised of Babcock employees, Royal New Zealand Navy personnel, and NZDF civilians.

“This partnership has been recently acknowledged through an award at both the Minister of Defence Excellence Awards and the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation Awards.”

The new contract also has a strong focus on a range of environmental and social outcomes. James Morton said: “Babcock is aiming for our New Zealand operations to be one of the first carbon-zero dockyards in the world. As a part of this new contract we’ll be training over 100 early-career STEM apprentices and graduates and we will be increasing opportunities and collaboration with New Zealand small and medium-sized businesses through Babcock’s supply chain.

“Babcock is focused on building long-term partnerships with the New Zealand supply chain, and in particular developing long-term relationships with Māori and Pasifika businesses. Our supply chain partners are key to our capability and our focus on delivering for our customers. We are looking forward to continuing our productive and valued relationships with them.”