Australia Kickstarts Submarine Program With Opening Of New Office In France

Australian Department of Defense has set up a secure facility in Cherbourg, France together with Naval Group (formerly DCNS) and Lockheed Martin Australia which will house Submarine designers, naval architects and engineers who will work alongside each other on Australia's Future Submarine Program. 

More than 50 Australians will join Naval Group and Lockheed Martin Australia employees to progress the important work of developing a mature design of the Future Submarine.  It is this collaboration along with the integral role that Australian industry will play that will underpin the ability of Australia to maintain and operate the Future Submarines with sovereignty, throughout their life, the companies said in a press statement Monday.

"This office will provide a collaboration space for the Naval Group and Lockheed Martin Australia to work closely with our Australian Government partners to provide the best possible submarine fleet to provide protection for Australia's trade and assure the nation's maritime security," said Vince Di Pietro AM, Lockheed Martin Chief Executive Australia & New Zealand.

The announcement is the first major milestone; the design of the Future Submarine is already well underway, as is engagement with Australian Industry.

Australia awarded DCNS the main contract in April last year to design and build its next generation of submarines, conventionally powered version of France’s 4,700-ton nuclear-fueled Barracuda.

The Barracudas are to replace Australia’s aging diesel and electric-powered Collins submarines.