Australian Collins-class Sub Maintenance Facility To Get An Upgrade

Australia’s defense ministry has announced a major upgrade to its submarine support and repair centre at the Australian Marine Complex, Western Australian submarine maintenance facility, as part of its continuous improvement of the maintenance of Collins Class submarine fleet.

The $12.5 million redevelopment will improve productivity and reliability through a maintenance support tower, sky bridge and new amenities and office areas, significantly cutting the time workers spend accessing a submarine under maintenance, Australian Department of Defence (ASC) said in a press release today.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne jointly opened the redevelopment at ASC West, in Henderson.  

“This major redevelopment at ASC’s Western Australian facility lays a solid foundation for ASC’s future as a key sovereign asset delivering Australia’s submarine capability,” said ASC Interim Chief Executive Officer Stuart Whiley.

The redevelopment comes after ASC and the Defence Department agreed a further five year performance period for the sustainment of the Collins Class submarine fleet, which commenced on 1 July this year.

Mr Whiley said ASC’s experience and know-how, from 30 years building and sustaining Collins Class submarines in Australia, made it a critical capability partner in Australia in coming years to meet increased submarine capability requirements, including the maintenance, upgrade and life-of-type extension of the Collins Class fleet as well as assisting in the delivery of the Future Submarine (FSM) program.