NEWS & MEDIA

Australian Safety Engineers (ASE) has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by Department of Defence, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to build and supply High Pressure Breathing Air Compressor Units (BACU). 

The contract is for the acquisition of critical safety equipment that will be deployed across the RAN fleet. The BACU is used to produce high pressure breathing air to charge Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) cylinders for diving operations and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) cylinders for Navy firefighters.

The ASE designed BACUs incorporate the latest technology and enhancements to deliver a reliable unit, capable of producing high output breathing air that meets the highest quality standards. ASE’s highly skilled technical team custom designed these units to specifically meet RAN’s technical requirements. 

The equipment was built at ASE’s workshop facility in Western Australia, with local subcontractors engaged as part of a combined effort between ASE and Defence to utilise and develop local industry capability and to maximise the use of Australian content within the supplies. 

This contract has seen the promotion of new employment opportunities within ASE as well as providing Australian industry with opportunities in manufacturing and fabrication.

ASE’s Managing Director Brian Snashall said the agreement reinforces the strong relationship that has existed between ASE and Defence for over 20 years. 

This acquisition will ensure that the RAN fleet is equipped with the latest technology; exceeding RAN’s breathing air requirements and enhancing Defence capability.

This contract is the largest single acquisition of breathing air compressors in Australia, cementing ASE as the market leader in development, manufacture and supply of breathing air systems in the country. ASE, an Australian owned and operated company was exclusively awarded this contract over other foreign owned and multinational companies.