Austal looks likely win a contract to build two more joint high speed vessels for the US Navy after it exercised a $121 million contract option for the acquisition of long lead-time equipment.
Austal looks likely win a contract to build two more joint high speed vessels for the US Navy after it exercised a $121 million contract option for the acquisition of long lead-time equipment.
Austal already has contracts to build the first three joint high speed vessels as part of a 10 vessel program.
Each vessel is worth about $225 million.
Austal was awarded the initial contract to design and build the first joint high speed vessel in November 2008.
The contracts for another two vessels were awarded in January this year.
In a statement Austal said options for the remaining seven vessels are expected to be awarded between the end of the 2010 financial year and 2013.
The US Navy has exercised contract options to fund material for vessel's 4 and 5 including propulsion engines, water jets, reduction gears and other major equipment items.
"This award reinforces the US Navy's support for this major US defence programme and provides a clear signal that options 4 and 5 will be taken up," said Austal Managing Director Bob Browning.
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