Saab Australia has received its first maintenance order under a new Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) signed with the federal government.

The $37 million agreement will see Saab maintaining the 9LV combat management system on the Anzac class frigates until December 2017.

WAMA is an asset management organisation responsible for seaworthiness and support infrastructure, Saab stated; under the agreement the company will support WAMA with ongoing engineering support services from Western Australia and South Australia.

“The agreement and this order reflect our highly successful and long-term commitment to the Anzac frigate and the Royal Australian Navy,” said Dean Rosenfield, managing director for Saab Australia.

“The Anzac frigates are the trusted workhorse of the Navy, and Saab has played a major role evolving the ships’ fighting capability over the last 20 years. We look forward to continuing our work with our local partners to ensure the Anzacs continue fulfilling Navy’s needs.”

Saab stated that its next-generation combat management system is set to build on the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade to support the Future Frigates.

“Our proven commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, local production and support positions us well as the lead contender for the Future Frigates,” said Rosenfield.