Collins Class Submarine - Replacement

Replacement

The submarines have a predicted operational life of around 30 years, with Collins to decommission around 2025. The Submarine Institute of Australia released a report in July 2007 arguing that planning for the next generation of Australian submarines had to begin soon. In December 2007, shortly after the 2007 federal election, the Australian government announced that planning for a Collins class replacement had commenced. The 2009 Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030 white paper confirmed the replacement project, and announced that the submarine fleet would be increased to twelve vessels to sustain submarine operations in any conflict, and counter the growing potency of Asian-Pacific naval forces.

The 2009 white paper outlined the replacement submarine as a 4,000-ton vessel fitted with land-attack cruise missiles in addition to torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, capable of launching and recovering covert operatives while submerged, and carrying surveillance and intelligence-gathering equipment. There are four options for the project to take: buy a Military-Off-The-Shelf (MOTS) design without modification, buy a MOTS design and modify it for Australian service conditions, design an evolution of an existing submarine, or design an entirely new submarine. The ADF will likely follow the 'modified MOTS' or 'evolution' path, as no existing MOTS design meets the RAN's desired capabilities or Australian operational conditions, while a purely new design would be a high-risk option. Nuclear propulsion has been ruled out because of the lack of nuclear infrastructure and public opposition to nuclear technology.

The new submarines will be built at ASC's shipyard in South Australia, although other companies will be invited to tender against ASC to build the submarines; if another company wins the tender, they will be granted access to the site. Construction is predicted to occur over a 25 year period, with the new submarines operating until the 2070s. Building the submarines in 'batches' instead of all to the same design is under consideration, as updated technologies and equipment could be added to later submarines during design. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute predicts that the new submarines will cost over A$36 billion to design and build, with construction of each submarine valued between A$1.4 and A$3.04 billion, making it the most expensive ever undertaken by the Australian Defence Force.

Originally, concept work was to start in 2009, with design work to commence by 2011, and construction begin in 2016. However, meetings to clarify concept details and intended capabilities did not occur until March 2012, and funding for the initial design phase was not approved until May 2012. These delays have pushed the start of construction back to 2017, and it is unlikely that the new boats will begin to enter service before 2030.