Project history Collins-class submarine replacement project

1 project history

1.1 2009 defence white paper
1.2 speculation of sōryū class decision
1.3 2015 policy announcements

project history

the submarine institute of australia released report in july 2007 arguing planning next generation of australian submarines had begin if replaced 2020s. in december 2007, month after coming office following 2007 federal election, minister defence joel fitzgibbon announced planning collins class replacement (designated sea 1000) had commenced. sea 1000 project office established within defence materiel organisation in october 2008, , being jointly administered defence s capability development group. in february 2009, rear admiral rowan moffitt appointed project head.

2009 defence white paper

the 2009 defending australia in asia pacific century: force 2030 white paper confirmed replacement project, , announced submarine fleet increased twelve vessels. reasons increase presented in white paper included growing quantity , sophistication of asian-pacific naval forces (particularly submarine forces), need sustain submarine operations in conflict, , greater deterrent increased submarine force provide.

originally, planned timeline called concept work start in 2009, preliminary designs established between 2011 , 2013, detailed design work completed in time construction start in 2016. ensure new class in service before collins class began decommissioning in 2025. however, meetings between moffitt , national security committee clarify concept details , intended capabilities, scheduled november 2009, did not go ahead until march 2012. on 3 may 2012, australian government announced funding initial design phase. initial phase encompass studies select new submarines design, defence science , technology organisation projects establish parameters propulsion, combat system, , stealth capabilities, along initiating programs develop required industry skills actual construction. under 2012 revised timeline, preliminary phase conclude in 2013, first pass approval done 2014, , second pass approval in 2017. best case prediction seeing first new submarine enter service, made in 2012, after 2030 . @ least of slow pace , lack of decision making has been attributed politicians fearing being held responsible repeat of problems experienced collins class during construction , career.

speculation of sōryū class decision

the sōryū-class submarine unryū in 2014. japanese submarines had been speculated forerunner replacement project.

although german type 214 submarine has comparable range , endurance collins-class, , superior range , endurance compared sōryū-class, throughout 2014 there increasing speculation japanese design had been pre-selected collins-class replacement, leading public criticism japanese submarines did not have range or endurance australia required.

a september 2012 weapons technology swap deal , july 2014 agreement on sharing of defence technology seen preliminary steps towards australian-japanese collaboration on submarine design, or towards integrating technologies sōryū s kockums designed air-independent propulsion stirling engines , research incorporating japanese boats hydrodynamic capabilities potential sea 1000 design. advantages in such deal between nations include attention securing sea 1000 project bring japanese arms manufacturers (particularly after loosening of defence export restrictions in 2014), provision of proven high-end submarine design australian military, , improved relations, both directly , mutual allies of united states of america. however, has been noted co-operation on such major defence project high risk due japan s lack of previous arms export experience, , deal negatively impact on both nations relations china. close personal relationship between then-australian prime minister tony abbott , japanese prime minister shinzō abe had been cited factor in likeliness of such deal, although caveat change in government in either nation compromise potential deal construction, or ongoing maintenance support of submarines: australian labor party has greater interest in supporting local shipbuilding abbott s coalition government, while souring of china-japan relations democratic party of japan less risk liberal democratic government led abe.

by november 2014, initial capabilities had not been decided on, , recommendations made across 2015. in december 2014, australian coalition government ruled out using tender process identify new submarine design, blaming limited time left before collins-class scheduled begin leaving service. although there speculation @ time australian government purchase directly japanese shipbuilders, in january 2015, defence minister kevin andrews stated government still considering options offered european shipbuilders: thyssenkrupp marine systems of germany, saab of sweden, , partnership of french companies thales , dcns.

in mid-december 2015, japanese self defence force allowed journalist australian broadcasting corporation (abc) tour newest of class, kokuryū (black dragon), @ base @ yokoska , speak commanding officer, commander takehiko hirama, , several other personnel.

2015 policy announcements

on 8 february 2015 abbott government signalled both selection of design , selection of construction options competitive, , on 9 february 2015 announced competitive evaluation process possibility of construction in australia. on 20 february 2015 australian government publicly announced 3 key strategic considerations taken account in competitive evaluation process, these being: future submarines have similar range , endurance collins class, superior sensor performance , stealth compared collins class, , combat system , mark 48 mod 7 torpedo jointly developed between united states , australia future submarines preferred combat system , main weapon. government announced three-way competition between thyssenkrupp, thales-dcns partnership , japanese design, while saab excluded. process expected select design submarine end of 2015. indicated number of submarines reduced eight, specifics come in defence white paper slated later in 2015.