• Collins class submarines conduct surface manouevres during a "photex". Credit: Defence
    Collins class submarines conduct surface manouevres during a "photex". Credit: Defence
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The defence industry has released a model demonstrating a continuous build of a fleet of twelve submarines which would assure the retention of Australian shipbuilding capabilities into the future.
 
Australian Made Defence campaign national spokesperson Chris Burns said the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Defence acquisition has forced the industry to lay off much of its workforce, losing crucial skills in the process.
 
“The Federal Government needs to promote a continuous shipbuilding strategy to stop the cycle of uncertainty. This will not only benefit the industry, but it will also maintain national capabilities and promote the innovation and skills needed to meet Australia’s future advanced manufacturing needs,” Burns said.
 

"The model released today shows the twelfth boat would be completed by 2050, at which point the build of the following generation of submarines would start."


 
The continuous shipbuilding philosophy needs to start now, according to Burns, including the commencement of construction of the Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) in 2018 before work concludes on the Air Warfare Destroyers.
 
He called for a commitment to develop a national shipbuilding plan integrating all upcoming shipbuilding projects, such that OPV (Sea 1180) work would then flow into the Future Frigates (Sea 5000) construction and thereafter the building of the twelve future submarines.
 
"The model released today shows the twelfth boat would be completed by 2050, at which point the build of the following generation of submarines would start. By the time the twelfth boat is built, it will be time to decommission the first boat," Burns said.
 
Such a strategy would give Defence its minimum requirement while allowing industry to remain sustainable, Burns said, adding that it would also give taxpayers the best and most cost-effective option.
 
According to Burns, a continuous build of twelve submarines will present industry with the opportunity to invest early in design technologies, infrastructure and skills that will transfer into other sectors.
 
“Those innovations will promote local design capacity for Australia’s fleets with a potential to give Australia an export capability."
 
Burns said without the certainty and benefits of a continuous build, Australia was at risk of losing its remaining shipyards and the skills to build and maintain its fleets. He said that defence experts had for some time argued "for a minimum of twelve submarines to provide the required level of strategic sting that provides adequate deterrence".
 
The Australian Made Defence infographic Continuous build of Future Submarines can be viewed here
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