Future Submarines bidder, the French owned DCNS has launched a series of industry innovation seminars starting in Melbourne today. The series of seminars is an opportunity for local industry to engage and collaborate with DCNS ahead to the Federal Government’s planned announcement for the SEA 1000 Competitive Evaluation Process (CEP) later this year.

The Australian Government has spruiked its Defence credientials as part of it 2015 Federal Budget. Several major funding commitments were outlined including budget allocations for the ongoing conflict against Islamic State.

SEA 1000 is the Collins Class submarine replacement program managed by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO). The SEA 1000 program will find replacements for the six Collins Class submarines currently in service. The Collins Class submarines are due to retire from service from 2025 onwards.

The Collins Class replacement submarine will likely displace around 4,500 tonnes. It will be capable of a range of missions including land missile attack, anti-ship, surveillance. The submarine will also play an important role in special operations by inserting and extracting commandos and other covert operators.

 

Australia's Defence Force chief (CDF) has weighed into the debate surrounding the Australian Navy's Collins Class submarine replacement stating that there is no strategic need to build the submarine locally. Air Chief Marshal Binskin said on Tuesday that it was more important to the nation that the new submarines be maintained by local industry and that this didn't mean the subs had to be built in Australia.

 

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