The SSN AUKUS submarine is planned to enter service with the UK’s Royal Navy in the late 2030s, and with the Royal Australian Navy in the early 2040s. Image: ADF.
Four major defence primes have announced they will work together to pitch for a leading role in the development, integration, and sustainment of the combat systems for the future SSN AUKUS submarines.
To be developed and procured in partnership with the UK under the trilateral AUKUS construct, the clean-sheet SSN AUKUS design will be built in the UK from the mid-2030s for the British Royal Navy, and in Australia from the late 2030s for the Royal Australian Navy.
The UK has a requirement for as many as eight new SSNs, while Australia plans to build at least six boats at a new shipyard in Adelaide to augment at least three former US Navy Virginia-class SSNs from the early 2040s.
In a bid to leverage Australian industry know-how and innovation, BAE Systems, Raytheon Australia, General Dynamics Mission Systems and Thales have come together to propose to lead the design and integration effort for the SSN-AUKUS combat system under agreements yet to be negotiated between Australia and the UK.
The companies say their collaboration draws on more than 150 years of collective experience in the design, integration, and delivery from industry leaders from Australia, the UK and US. They say their expertise is intended to meet the demands of delivering a combat system for SSN-AUKUS in a way that reduces programmatic and workforce risks across the program while accelerating speed to capability.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU), the parties have agreed to work collaboratively to design a tri-national command system as a shared solution for Australia and the UK, which builds on the current General Dynamics AN/BYG-1 system which is currently integrated with Australia’s Collins-class submarines, and US Navy Virginia, Ohio, Seawolf, Los Angeles, and the new Columbia-class nuclear-powered submarines.
“This memorandum of understanding is another strategic step forward to developing the most effective and advanced combat system for SSN-AUKUS, simultaneously strengthening Australia’s operational sovereignty and industrial capability,” CEO of BAE Systems Australia Craig Lockhart said.
“By aligning with our industry and trilateral partners, this signing will accelerate and enhance combat system development that is interoperable by design, reaffirming our role as a trusted partner to the Commonwealth of Australia and Royal Australian Navy.”
Managing Director of Raytheon Australia Ohad Katz added, “As Australia’s sovereign submarine combat system partner, Raytheon Australia and our workforce bring more than 25 years of expertise in design, integration and sustainment, including upgrades and updates, of the Collins Class submarine combat system to this team, establishing the base for a truly sovereign capability ready to deliver the RAN’s most ambitious naval program.
“As the RAN moves to a multi-class submarine fleet, leveraging the existing workforce, with proven processes that sustain Collins will ensure continuity, confidence, and low-risk delivery.”
General Dynamics Mission Systems’ vice president and general manager of Maritime and Strategic Systems Laura Hooks said the company was excited to formalise a collaborative path to strengthen critical defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The MOU acknowledges that the team successfully delivering submarine combat system capability to the three nations via separate efforts today should be entrusted to sustain and integrate combat systems aboard Virginia and AUKUS submarines in the future, ensuring continuity, confidence, and low-risk delivery,” she said.
“It sets a standard of teamwork that will allow us to more efficiently explore future business opportunities in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.”
Steven Lockley, Chief Operating Officer of Underwater Systems, Defence Mission Systems with Thales UK added, “Success on international programs such as AUKUS requires strong international partners in order to deliver maximum customer value and sustained capability.
“Thales is pleased to continue its long-term Combat Systems relationships with BAES and Raytheon Australia and look forward to also working with a new partner in General Dynamics, Mission Systems. Together, we will deliver a hugely capable and sustainable AUKUS Combat System maximising the attributes of our companies across the AUKUS countries.”
