Every submarine worker is wanted to build nuclear fleet and keep Collins class afloat

Industry leaders say SA shipbuilding firms need every worker they can find, but it’s been revealed hundreds are still on the sidelines in the wake of Australia’s new weapons deals.

Australia will need “every skilled worker we can possibly get” for future navy building, the Defence Department has told a senate committee. But only 288 of 506 workers had so far applied for redeployment, the committee heard.

Officials from the Defence department and the navy were grilled in Canberra on Wednesday, as senators questioned the status of 500 Naval Group and Lockheed Martin Australia workers.

They have been dumped, along with the contract for conventional submarines, for the nuclear option.

Under questioning, Defence Department deputy secretary Tony Fraser revealed only 288 of 506 workers had so far applied for redeployment after the French submarine deal was dumped, with 23 offers so far made and 21 accepted.

“We are providing coverage on a ‘no worse off basis’ for any employee because we expect that we will require every skilled employee we possibly can [get] throughout the defence sector as well as ship building,’’ Mr Fraser said.

“The lifetime extension on the Collins class submarine is very important to us and the work which will be done at ASC, there is placement and training for some to develop their skills for nuclear powered submarine, and we will look at other industry placements.

Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Rankin. Photo: Australian Defence Force via Getty Images.

“There is enormous interest to join these programs. I am not aware of any (of the 288 applications made so far) which have been rejected.

“We will need all these employees. For the growth we have we will need every skilled worker we can possibly get.”

Mr Fraser could not confirm whether all the employees would be needed for shipbuilding tasks, or in the broader defence industries.

It was also revealed that Australia had no provision to cancel the French submarine contract on the basis of targets not having been met by September, when the nuclear option was announced.

And both Mr Fraser and Defence Department general manager of submarines Greg Sammut denied media reports that discussions had been held with Swedish officials, that a so-called “son of Collins” would be needed before the first nuclear submarine being launched in 2040.

The Swedish-designed Collins vessels will undergo upgrading, including new defence systems and propulsion, but they will be around 50 years old when decommissioned.

Senator Patrick, a former Collins class submariner, quizzed officials about the ability of the Collins class to be modified to have “air independent propulsion” prior to decommissioning.

Conventional submarines like Collins must surface for “snorkelling” and “snorting”, making them vulnerable to attack, but time on the surface is far less for nuclear submarines and more modern conventional designs.

“Are you seriously happy with retaining a submarine that must spend more time on the surface than some of the (current) counterparts?” Senator Patrick said.

Mr Sammut said the issue was being studied, but retrofitting such technology would hamper the vessel’s performance and no decision had been made.

Originally published as Every submarine worker is wanted to build nuclear fleet and keep Collins class afloat