Naval Group Inks Submarine Design Contract for Australia’s Attack-class Submarines

NavalGroup has achieved another milestone in the future submarine pro- gram with the signing of the first phase of the submarine design contract (SDC). The contract was signed by Christopher Pyne, minister for defence and representatives from Naval Group and Australia at a ceremony in Canberra on March 5. The SDC is the first contract workscope to be fully executed under the strategic partnering agreement.

The scope for this phase of work includes the ongoing maturation of the Attack-class design as it progresses into the next design phase known as the definition phase. This will include the source selection of over 100 critical and main equipment that will contribute to the submarine design solution. This will mark significant opportunity for Australian industry, which together with ongoing Australian workforce skills development, will play an important part in the growth of the sovereign submarine capability in Australia.

The SDC also includes ongoing preparations for the build of the Attack-class in the Osborne shipyard in South Australia, including ongoing support to Australian Naval Infrastruc- ture for the design and build of the submarine construction yard and the ICT systems that will be employed in there. “There is tremen- dous continuation and progress being made with the future submarine programme,” said Jean-Michel Billig, executive vice president future submarine programme, Naval Group. “The signing of the SDC is another significant milestone in the journey of the future submarine programme.

“Through the execution of this programme, the Naval Group teams    in both Australia and France will deliver a sovereign, regionally superior submarine capability to Australia. “In doing so, we will also help build a stronger Australian industrial capability, which will be supported by a skilled and experienced Australian workforce, providing jobs and other economic benefits for decades to come,” said Billig. The first phase of the SDC is worth $605 million and will extend through to 2021.