BMT | Australian Defence Review | Andy Harris

In February 2024, the Australian Government released the Surface Fleet Review and committed $54 billion over the next decade to future naval defence, emphasising the importance of the maritime domain to Australia’s defence capability. Naval architects will play key roles in acquiring ship designs for Australia, overseeing their build, and sustaining them through life.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Andrew Harris, Technical Lead and Principal Naval Architect, based in our Adelaide office. Andy is a leading expert in marine engineering and naval architecture, and we talked to him about his views on the future of the defence industry.
About BMT
BMT is a leading international design, engineering, science and risk management consultancy with a reputation for excellence. We are driven by a belief that things can always be better, safer, greener and more efficient. We provide our customers with the capability, capacity and confidence to enable them to make the right decisions at the right time by drawing upon the expertise of over 1,300 professionals located in UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, Australasia and the Americas. Delivering independent, complex design and consultancy capabilities for over 37 years, we pride ourselves on being equipped to support our customers to tackle the most complex design and systems issues, and challenges, which enables the industry to deliver safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient shipping for the future. We draw upon a wide range of experience and expertise to provide high-quality, high value products and services across the maritime sector. BMT’s assets are held in beneficial ownership for its staff www.bmt.org.

[@hmasyarra]

Frankly, the Australian military's current focus on allocating 54 billion dollars towards constructing new maritime naval assets is arguably a strategic misstep. The traditional emphasis on acquiring destroyers and submarines overlooks these vessels' substantial ongoing costs. Given Australia's geographical context, with its expansive coastline exceeding 25,000 kilometres, vulnerabilities and strategic opportunities exist at key locations such as Darwin, Townsville, Dampier, and Port Hedland.
In this scenario, companies like BMT could play a transformative role by pivoting towards developing smaller, more agile vessels. Despite the Australian Defence Force (ADF) not being the largest military presence in the Pacific, it boasts technological superiority. Furthermore, the ADF's Army is recognised for its seasoned expertise and high mobility across diverse terrains. Yet, its operational capabilities are often constrained by the limitations of current weaponry and armament types. Land warfare capability comes to mind.
BMT, known for its innovation, might be underutilising its potential by not adequately anticipating the future demands for rapid and nimble maritime designs. The ADF's procurement timelines, which project needs five, ten, or even thirty years into the future, highlight the urgency for more adaptable and swiftly deployable solutions within cost exposure.
The question remains whether BMT can break free from conventional frameworks and lead in creating future-oriented designs that prioritise ease of operation and strategic flexibility. This shift could significantly enhance the ADF's ability to respond to emerging threats and challenges in an increasingly dynamic global security environment. Enjoyed the clip.

[@DavidOlver]

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