Identified in the 2009 Defence White Paper, the SEA 1000 Future Submarine Project seeks to acquire an increased and enhanced submarine capability that will provide the Australian Defence Force with a potent submarine capability beyond the planned withdrawal date of the Collins Class submarines.
SEA 1000 Capability
SEA 1000 will provide Australia with a new and more potent defence capability with greater range, longer partrol endurance and increased capability compared to the Collins Class submarines. Key capabilities will be in the areas of:
• Anti-submarine warfare;
• Anti-surface warfare;
• Strike;
• Intelligence;
• Surveillance and reconnaissance;
• Electronic warfare;
• Mine warfare; and
• Support to both special forces and advance force operations.
The project will undertake a competitive, staged acquisition process to acquire this capability.
SEA 1000 Project Phases
Initial Definition Phase - identify the top level requirements for the future submarine (currently in progress).
Phase 1 - Design. This comprises concept design, preliminary design and detailed design.
Phase 2 - Construction. This will commence around 2016.
Phases 1 and 2 also intend to define and integrate the primary requirements for the weapons capabilities, including a precision strike capability, with the weapons to be acquired in later phases.
Acquisition
SEA 1000 will place significant demands upon Australian industry and provide commensurate opportunities. Its scale will exceed that of any previous project. This project will need a project management, industrial, and research and support capability capable of constructing and sustaining the future submarine capability over its entire life-cycle and which encompasses all integrated logistics support elements.
The acquisition strategy is yet to be determined, however it is expected that opportunities for Australian industry involvement will be significant, ultimately growing and developing the foundations of Australia's technological and industrial based sectors.
Through Life Support
The support concepts are yet to be determined, however it is expected that opportunities for Australian industry involvement will be significant, particularly as the future submarine will be maintained and sustained in Australia. The Royal Australian Navy, supported by Defence Materiel Organisation, will be the Parent Navy for the future submarine.
Planned Schedule Highlights
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Phase
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Year of Decision
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Phase 1 A - Concept Design
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FY 2009/10 to FY 2010/11
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Phase 1 B - Preliminary Design
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FY 2011/12 to FY 2012/13
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Phase 1 C - Detailed Design
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FY 2013/14 to FY 2015/16
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