Defence has extended two contracts for the sustainment of the sonars and periscopes for the Collins class submarines.
Thales Australia has been awarded a five-year extension valued at $178 million; and BAE Systems Australia a five-year extension at a cost of $89 million. These contracts will give ongoing support for the Collins class submarines’ sonars and periscopes through to the 2030s.
BAE Systems Australia will provide in-service periscope support for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) six Collins Class submarines.
“BAE Systems Australia is a long-term sovereign capability partner to the Royal Australian Navy with more than three decades of expertise in the manufacture and build, sustainment and upgrade of Collins Class submarine periscope systems," BAE Systems Australia Managing Director, Defence Delivery, Andrew Gresham, said.
The contract will ensure the continuation of maintenance and logistics services, engineering and supply support and program management of 16 periscope systems at BAE Systems’ purpose-built Mawson Lakes facility in South Australia and HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
“The Government’s Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan is delivering potent naval capabilities to protect Australia’s national security and grow Australia’s sovereign industrial capability," Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group, David Hanley, stated.
Thales Australia will provide in-service sonar support for the Collins Class Submarine, continuing vital maintenance, operational support and ongoing upgrades to the sonar suite. The Scylla Sonar Suite comprises a number of sensors throughout the Collins Class Submarine, including the Thales Australia sovereign designed and developed, Towed Array Sonar.
“Thales Australia is delighted to continue this important partnership with the Commonwealth and Defence to provide high-performing and sovereign technology that delivers national security protection to the Australian nation," CEO of Thales Australia, Jeff Connolly, commented.
The Scylla Sonar comprises passive and active sonar arrays together with inboard processing and user interface software that allows the Acoustic Warfare Analyst to detect, track and classify noise sources in the ocean, passing critical information to the combat system and submarine command.
This includes planned maintenance activities, operational support, engineering support, obsolescence management, sonar upgrades and Towed Array manufacture and repair.