Australia is advancing with its $4 to $5 billion plan to extend the service life of its Collins-class submarines.

HMAS Farncomb (SSG-74) will be the first to undergo this process, although the government has scaled back previously planned upgrades.

“The life-of-type extension of HMAS Farncomb will be undertaken by the highly skilled workers at ASC and commence in 2026 at Osborne in South Australia,” stated the Australian Department of Defence.

“This program will ensure the continued availability of the Collins-class submarines without compromising submariner safety.”

HMAS Farncomb, the second vessel in Australia’s fleet of six conventionally powered Collins-class submarines, was commissioned in 1998 and was originally slated for retirement in the mid-2020s.

However, with the first American Virginia-class submarine from the AUKUS trilateral security pact not expected until the 2030s, Australia has decided to extend the service life of its existing submarines to maintain its naval capabilities.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy emphasized that the life-of-type extension program reflects the Albanese Government’s strong commitment to national security by ensuring the Australian Defence Force maintains the necessary capabilities to deter potential threats.

He highlighted that the sustainment of the Collins-class submarines will continue to meet operational requirements, providing a potent and credible capability crucial for Australia’s security.

“The life-of-type extension program underscores the Albanese Government’s unwavering commitment to keeping Australians safe by ensuring the [Australian Defence Force] has the capabilities it needs to deter potential adversaries,” said Pat Conroy.

“Sustainment of the Collins-class submarines continues to meet the Navy’s operational requirements and ensures the submarines remain an enduring, potent and credible capability that is critical to Australia’s national security,” he continued.

However, Australia has decided to scale back previously planned upgrades to the submarines’ optronics, a visual sensor technology, due to added complexity and risks associated with the life extension program.

The statement noted that the SSN AUKUS nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines will not be fitted with this specific design.

“The SSN AUKUS nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines will likewise not be fitted with this particular design,” it added.

Additionally, the Collins-class submarines will not receive Tomahawk cruise missiles, as the Department of Defence and the United States advised the Australian government that this option “is not viable and does not represent value for money.”

However, the government still plans to equip Hobart-class destroyers with Tomahawks and has agreed in principle to fit the Hunter-class frigates with them, pending a feasibility study.

Relevant articles:
– class life extension, but scales back upgrades, Breaking Defense
– ASC, BAE Systems Australia to build submarines for Royal Australian Navy, australiandefence.com.au
– Replacement of Australia’s Collins Class Submarines, Secret Projects Forum
– Australia cannot afford to skip Collins Class upgrades, says Deputy PM, defenceconnect.com.au