West Australian shipbuilder Austal is teaming up with government-owned counterpart ASC in South Australia to win the contract to build the Navy's nine new frigates.
Three international designers have been shortlisted for the $35 billion project - British BAE, Italian firm Fincantieri and Spanish company Navantia - with the government expected to make a decision in 2018.
Austal chief executive David Singleton says the arrangement offers the winning designer a compelling low-risk Australian shipbuilding solution.
"The powerful partnership will bring Austal's unparalleled record in aluminium shipbuilding, exports and operational efficiency to combine with ASC Shipbuilding's expertise in steel warship manufacturing," Mr Singleton said.
The new frigates will replace the existing Anzac fleet.
Production is scheduled to start from 2020 at the federal government-owned shipyard in Osborne, SA.
SA Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith says the partnership is an answer to the ongoing question of local content.
He said the SA government supported a 90 per cent Australian build for the frigate project.
Austal and ASC are competitors when it comes to the contract to build offshore patrol vessels.
German shipbuilders Lurssen and Fassmer are competing with the Dutch bid Damen for that design contract.
Lurssen and Damen have teamed up with ASC and Perth-based Civmec, while Austal has partnered with Fassmer.
The offshore patrol vessels will be built in both Adelaide and Perth, with construction to start next year.
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