Our History

Our Timeline

1985
Chicago Bridge & Iron, Wormald International, the Australian Industry Development Corporation and Kockums joined forces to create the Australian Submarine Corporation, to tender for the design and build of the new fleet of submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
1987
ASC’s $5 billion contract with the Australian Government to design and build six Collins Class submarines is signed on 3 June 1987, the largest Australian defence contract signed in Australia to that date.
1989
The Prime Minister, the Hon Bob Hawke AC, opens ASC’s South Australian facility at ASC North, Osborne. The location is chosen for its easy access to the Port River and Gulf St Vincent, road and rail connections and room for expansion.
1990
Construction of the first Collins Class submarine, Collins, commences at Osborne, South Australia.

Names of the Collins Class submarines are announced at the keel laying ceremony for HMAS Collins. These commemorate the memory of six members of the Royal Australian Navy who served their country with distinction: HMAS Collins, Farncomb, Waller, Dechaineux, Sheean and Rankin.

James Hardie Industries acquires a shareholding in ASC, while two previous shareholders exited their positions, making ASC 51% Australian-owned and 49% Swedish-owned.
1992
ASC commences providing services to the Royal Australian Navy’s Submarine School, opened at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia.
1996
ASC delivers the first of the new submarines – HMAS Collins – to the Royal Australian Navy.

ASC expands its presence at Henderson (Western Australia) to facilitate in-service support of the Collins Class and begins undertaking sustainment activities.
1997
ASC delivers the second submarine – HMAS Farncomb.
1999
ASC delivers the third submarine – HMAS Waller.
2000
ASC delivers the fourth and fifth submarines – HMAS Dechaineux and HMAS Sheean.
The Australian Government acquires the remaining portion of ASC, making it a fully Australian Government-owned company.
2002
General Dynamics Electric Boat is engaged as capability partner for ASC, as it transitions from submarine builder to the sovereign Australian design authority, upgrader and sustainer for the Collins Class.
2003
ASC delivers the sixth and final Collins Class submarine – HMAS Rankin.

ASC signs the Through-Life Support Agreement with the Australian Government, for the ongoing design, maintenance and enhancement of the Collins Class submarines.
2004
ASC changes its name and corporate identity from ‘Australian Submarine Corporation’ to ‘ASC Pty Ltd’, to reflect the company’s future business and shipbuilding activities.

ASC completes its first Collins Class refit, or Full-Cycle Docking, for HMAS Farncomb.

The Royal Australian Navy accepts ‘operational release’ of the six Collins Class submarines, representing formal acceptance of the new class into naval service and acknowledgement that the submarines meet defined operational capabilities.

Establishment of ASC’s shipbuilding operations.
2005
ASC completes the Full-Cycle Docking of HMAS Collins.

ASC and the Royal Australian Navy sign a $20 million contract for the continuation of submarine training services in WA.

ASC is selected as the shipbuilder for Australia’s Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer program, as part of the multi-party AWD Alliance established by Defence.

ASC became the design authority for the Collins Class, recognising the capability and depth of experience required for the submarines’ safe sustainment and upgrade.

ASC wins the Engineers Australia Excellence Award for the in-situ repair of HMAS Farncomb’s main propulsion motor.
2006
ASC establishes the Master of Marine Engineering course, in collaboration with Defence and the University of Adelaide.

ASC establishes the Master of Military Systems Integration course in collaboration with Defence, the University of South Australia, BAE Systems and Saab Australia.

ASC completes design work for its new submarine maintenance facility in Western Australia.
2007
HMAS Waller’s Full-Cycle Docking is completed, including replacement of its combat system and upgrade of its Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo capability.

ASC enters the AWD Alliance-based Target Incentive Agreement with other members of the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance, to deliver three Air Warfare Destroyers to the Royal Australian Navy.

ASC selects Hansen Yuncken to build its $120 million Air Warfare Destroyer shipyard at ASC South, Osborne.

The Australian Institute of Project Manager’s national Project of the Year and Best Defence/Aerospace Project is awarded to ASC for the Full-Cycle Docking of HMAS Waller, incorporating some 1.25 million labour hours and 7,500 maintenance tasks.
2008
ASC West is opened, a $35 million submarine maintenance and support facility in Western Australia, located at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson.

Construction begins on ASC’s Air Warfare Destroyer shipyard at ASC South.

ASC establishes a Graduate Certificate in Project Management, in collaboration with Defence and the University of South Australia.

ASC completes major infrastructure upgrades at its submarine deep maintenance shipyard at ASC North, Osborne, including a new 4,500 sqm warehouse and electrical workshops.

ASC is named State Employer of the Year by the Defence Reserves Support Council for support of Defence reservists.
2009
A large group of ASC’s Air Warfare Destroyer staff move to the newly completed ASC South shipyard administration building.
BAE Systems Australia Defence (Port Melbourne) and Forgacs (Newcastle) are confirmed as block subcontractors for the AWD project.
2010
Official opening of ASC’s $120 million Air Warfare Destroyer shipyard at ASC South, in Osborne, South Australia.

ASC completes HMAS Dechaineux’s Full-Cycle Docking.
2011
Final infrastructure to support the Air Warfare Destroyer project opened at ASC South, including two outfit support towers and a blast-and-paint facility.

The first keel block for the first destroyer, HMAS Hobart, arrives at ASC South.
2012
The Australian Government establishes the Coles Review into the Collins Class submarine fleet’s sustainment. The report becomes the blueprint for reform of submarine sustainment across Defence and industry.

ASC signs a new In-Service Support Contract (ISSC) with the Australian Government for the Collins fleet’s ongoing sustainment and maintenance.

ASC completes HMAS Sheean’s first Full-Cycle Docking.

ASC and the Royal Australian Navy participate in the keel laying ceremony for the first Air Warfare Destroyer, Hobart.
2013
Following recommendations of the Coles Review, ASC launches a program of reforms and innovations to reduce Full-Cycle Dockings from three years to two.

The first maintenance activity under the new ISSC with the Australian Government – a Certification Extension Docking of HMAS Farncomb – is completed, in advance of the contracted date.

Masts and blocks are delivered for the first and second Air Warfare Destroyers, Brisbane and Hobart, to ASC South.
2014
ASC commences its first two-year Full-Cycle Docking, of HMAS Farncomb, using the new Maintenance Support Tower at Osborne, which was developed to deliver significant efficiencies.

First ever hull cuts on a Collins Class submarine (HMAS Collins) are undertaken to enable main motor and diesels to be removed, refurbished, tested and reinstalled.

ASC performs its first testing of a Collins Class diesel-generator set in its newly constructed off-boat Diesel-Generator Test Facility that simulates at-sea conditions. The facility leads to significantly improved reliability of the diesel-generators.
2015
Launch of the first Air Warfare Destroyer, HMAS Hobart.
ASC holds the first Collins Class Supply Chain Forum to further increase Australian industry content, submarine availability and reliability, following ASC taking over responsibility for supply chain management as part of the Coles Review reforms.
ASC West workforce ramped up to greater than 300 with more complex maintenance activities commenced, as part of the implementation of the Coles Review.
2016
ASC wins the Engineers Australia (SA) Malcolm Kinnaird Excellence and Project Management awards, for the successful transformation of submarine maintenance, following the Coles Review in 2012.

ASC completes historic first two-year Full-Cycle Docking, of HMAS Farncomb, at the Osborne Naval Shipyard – demonstrating ASC’s capability to achieve world-benchmark submarine availability.

ASC commences two-year Full-Cycle Docking of HMAS Collins.

Final ship blocks for the Air Warfare Destroyer program delivered to ASC South.

Australian Government describes the Collins Class submarine sustainment program as an “exemplar project”, upon release of the Beyond Benchmark report by international submarine expert John Coles.

ASC is again named State Employer of the Year by the Defence Reserves Support Council for support of Defence reservists, having also received the award in 2008.
2017
Luerssen Australia is selected to design the SEA 1180 Offshore Patrol Vessel Program, with ASC to build the first two vessels in South Australia.

The Collins Class Submarine Program is removed from Defence’s ‘projects of concern’ list, following several years of transformation and high performance.

The Australian Government launches Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI), to facilitate, own and manage all critical infrastructure at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, including sites previously owned by ASC Pty Ltd.

A $12.5m upgrade to ASC West is officially opened, featuring an innovative maintenance support tower and sky-bridge to drive efficiencies and improve productivity and reliability in submarine maintenance in WA.

ASC delivers the first Air Warfare Destroyer, HMAS Hobart. The Royal Australian Navy’s most advanced warship ever, its features include an Aegis phased-array radar and multiple long-range surface-to-air missile launchers.
2018
The Australian Government announces ASC Shipbuilding as prime contractor for the Hunter Class Future Frigate program. ASC Shipbuilding separates from ASC Pty Ltd and becomes a subsidiary of BAE Systems, with the Australian Government retaining a sovereign shareholding. ASC Shipbuilding will later be re-named BAE Systems Australia Maritime.

ASC delivers the second Air Warfare Destroyer, HMAS Brisbane.

Completion of the two-year Full-Cycle Docking of HMAS Collins, including a major upgrade to its communications suite.

ASC becomes the first Australian defence company awarded international corporate certification for excellence in procurement, by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

ASC renews its strategic partnering arrangement with Defence Science and Technology to drive collaboration and innovation across submarine sustainment.

ASC wins the Australian Institute of Project Managers’ South Australian defence/aerospace prize for best-practice management and efficiency improvements in the installation of main propeller shafts for the Air Warfare Destroyers.

The Royal Australian Navy extends ASC’s contract to provide submarine training services at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre in Western Australia, building on 25 years as a trusted training partner.

ASC signs with Saab-Kockums to provide submarine design services in South Australia for the next-generation Swedish Blekinge-class (A26) submarine program.

ASC Shipbuilding wins the Maritime Safety Award from the Royal Institution of Naval Architects for an in-house designed-and-built system that monitors fire risks and directs emergency response.

ASC partners with Teekay Australia on a successful maintenance activity for the Royal Australian Navy’s advanced Maritime Aviation Training Vessel, MV Sycamore.

The Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer Program is removed from the Australian Government’s list of Defence’s ‘projects of concern,’ following several years of transformation.

ASC commences construction of the first Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel, with prime contractor/designer Luerssen Australia.
2019
Senior ASC employees, Jim Burnside and Tim Hill, receive Defence Commendations from Defence Minister Linda Reynolds for outstanding professionalism, dedication and contribution to Australia’s defence capability.

ASC participates with the Royal Australian Navy in a keel laying ceremony for the first Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel, with ASC the shipbuilder to prime contractor Luerssen Australia.

ASC and the University of Adelaide update the Master of Maritime Engineering, with ASC experts providing real-world teaching across submarine disciplines.

ASC expands its collaboration with submarine designers, builders and major equipment manufacturers, including Naval Group, Jeumont Electric, Schneider Electric, Babcock, Penske Power Systems, PMB Defence and Saab-Kockums.
2020
ASC delivers the third and final Air Warfare Destroyer, HMAS Sydney.

ASC completes HMAS Waller’s two-year Full-Cycle Docking, including a major upgrade to the submarine’s sonar system in collaboration with Raytheon and Thales.

ASC commences HMAS Dechaineux’s Full-Cycle Docking.

ASC signs a framework agreement with Naval Group Australia to train Naval Group-linked graduate engineers over a two-year period, as part of ASC’s wider Graduate Program.

ASC and CSIRO begin a two-year research collaboration to perfect additive manufacturing using ‘cold spray’ techniques, to more efficiently repair precision submarine components.

ASC participates with the Royal Australian Navy in a keel laying ceremony for the second Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel, with ASC taking a key building role to prime contractor Luerssen Australia.
2021
ASC announces it has received the CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme Advanced Silver Award, from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), following ASC’s initial corporate certification in 2018.

ASC launches a revised set of corporate values that reflect the behaviours and principles considered the most important in delivering its services: Protect (safety and security), Respect, Integrity, Discipline and Excellence. The values’ first letters form the acronym PRIDE, reflecting staff’s pride in ASC’s workplace and its important contributions.

The Royal Australian Navy declares the third and final Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer, HMAS Sydney, ready for operational deployment. The Chief of Navy describes the destroyers as ‘the most capable warships in Australia’s naval history’.

ASC launches its first Reconciliation Action Plan, ‘Reflect’, providing a framework for the company to contribute to national reconciliation and build communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.

ASC’s role as Australia’s sovereign submarine organisation is reinforced when the Australian Government announces a Life of Type Extension project, which will see ASC extend the service life of all six Collins Class submarines into the 2040s.

The Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool is established by ASC, in partnership with the Australian Government, to redeploy shipbuilding workers affected by the discontinuation of the Attack Class Submarine Program into existing and new programs.
2022
ASC’s obligations as lead shipbuilder on the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer program are formally completed with the close-out of the Alliance-based Target Incentive Agreement.
The three vessels were delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in 2017 (HMAS Hobart), 2018 (HMAS Brisbane) and 2020 (HMAS Sydney). The ships are Australia’s most advanced and complex warships, and among the most capable in the world. Features of the fleet include an Aegis phased-array radar and multiple long-range surface-to-air missile launchers.

ASC’s implementation of the Life of Type Extension (LOTE) for all six Collins Class submarines is confirmed. LOTE will replace the propulsion systems, diesel engines, generators, and power conversion and distribution systems. There will also be a cooling system upgrade and a range of hull assessments.