Collins class submarines to receive $500m in top secret technology upgrades

HALF-A-BILLION dollars of top-secret submarine-hunting technology will be put on the Collins class submarines, the Federal Government will announce in Adelaide today.

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HALF-A-BILLION dollars of top-secret submarine-hunting technology will be put on the Collins class submarines, the Federal Government will announce in Adelaide today.

The investment will replace the sonar systems on the six-boat fleet as tensions rise in the region and more enemy boats enter the area.

Work will be spread around the country, with sustainment continuing at the Osborne shipyard.

Existing underwater sensors will be replaced by a Thales Modular Cylindrical Array to help the submarines navigate and detect other vessels while remaining hidden.

HMAS Collins at sea during sunrise. Picture: Damian Pawlenko

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne and Defence Minister Marise Payne will announce the move at Osborne today.

The $542 million project will be about 70 per cent Australian and will create more than 100 jobs — 21 in SA.

Mr Pyne said that 70 per cent figure showed the maturity of the nation’s submarine enterprise.

“Australian defence suppliers are central to the sovereignty of our current and future military capability,” he said.

“As a result of their continued demonstration of expertise, Australian companies will have an enduring role in keeping our submarines superior and safe.”

The Collins class fleet will be constantly upgraded until the Future Submarines hit the water in the early 2030s.

Major overhauls are done in Adelaide while other servicing is done in Western Australia.

WA has made it clear it would be happy to do all the sustainment — which currently maintains about 700 jobs in Adelaide. The Government has investigated the option but says there are no plans to shift the work west.

Senator Payne said the Government was enhancing the boats’ war fighting capabilities to keep Australia’s advantage in the region.

The 2016 Defence White Paper outlined the importance of submarine capability to ensure defence, she said.

“Submarines offer capabilities no other platform can provide, and that’s why the Turnbull Government is committed to investing in the Collins class fleet to maintain its advantage in an increasingly complex and uncertain strategic environment,” she said.

“Enhancing the Collins class high-end warfighting capabilities so they can continue to detect and locate other vessels, ensures it will be an effective deterrent to potential adversaries.”