The Chairman of German industrial conglomerate and submarine builder TKMS has signalled that should the German bid for the Sea 1000 Future Submarine be successful, it would establish a centre of excellence representing "a generational chance to advance the manufacturing industry".
Speaking at the National Press Club today, Dr Hans Atzpodien reaffirmed the credentials of TKMS' "Project Endeavour", citing a high degree of proven technology, a commitment to a local build, a "safe pair of hands", and a willingness to secure a genuine shipbuilding industry in Australia based on a most advanced "digital shipyard" infrastructure.
Responding to criticisms that any TKMS design would need to be upscaled to suit Australia's needs, Atzpodien referenced the custom build of Israel's 2,400 tonne Dolphin Class, saying up to 80 per cent of proven design elements were incorporated and based upon a 3D digital data platform.
"The enlarged hull is just following the operational requirements and as such is not ‘rocket science’ at all."
"Sea 1000 has the scale to change the way ships are built in Australia," Dr Atzpodien said.
The Shipbuilding Centre of Excellence (SCOE) would, according to Atzpodien, "be networked to Newport News Shipbuilding Centre of Excellence and the Kiel ’Digital Shipyard’".
"Others may join as they implement the application of these advanced manufacturing tools," he said.
Other benefits for Australia would include "peerless latest state of the art technology such as the Siemens Permasyn Motor, MTU Series 4000 diesel engine, and if required, the fuel-cell Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, which can extend the endurance of the submarines by far".
Atzpodien was joined by TKMS Australia chairman Dr John White, a veteran of naval shipbuilding in Australia, who "delivered 10 ANZACs on time and within the planned budget for a fixed price – also with a design from TKMS".