Raytheon awarded $322 million Collins submarine support contract

The federal government has signed a new contract with Raytheon Australia, running five years and worth $322 million, for in-service support for the Collins class submarines’ combat system “during Australia’s transition to nuclear-powered submarines.”

In an announcement on Wednesday, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Tony Dalton said the work would include a life of type extension, as well as ongoing sustainment, plus selected capability enhancements. 

“The ongoing sustainment and upgrade of these boats will help maintain a capability advantage and ensure our fleet is ready to meet the challenges across our strategic environment,” said Dalton.

“We are committed to working closely with industry to sustain our Collins class submarines, an important task that currently supports over 1600 jobs across South and West Australia.”

A Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce was formed by the previous federal government in September last year, and tasked with an 18-month review “to identify the optimal pathway” to acquire nuclear-powered submarines to replace the Collins.

Each submarine in the Collins fleet was commissioned between 1996 and 2003.

Picture: credit Royal Australian Navy