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Increased Focus on Submarine Availability

By on Monday, February 15th, 2010

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced that a new Australian Submarine Program Office will be established in Adelaide next month.

“The establishment of the joint Australian Submarine Program Office is a vital step towards achieving the submarine output Government expects,” Mr Combet said.

“The Australian Submarine Program Office will be established in Adelaide to jointly manage submarine availability required by Government.

“The idea for a new project office follows discussions between the Navy, the Defence Material Organisation and ASC Pty Ltd on how better results can be achieved.

“The Government has made clear to all parties involved in the maintenance of the Collins Class Submarines that we expect better results. We understand this will take time but we are determined to see an improvement.

“This marks the start of a new partnership between Navy, the DMO and ASC which will set the basis for a strong and enduring submarine capability over the next decade,” Mr Combet said.

The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russell Crane, DMO Program Manager Submarines, Mr Kim Gillis, and CEO of ASC Pty Ltd, Mr Steve Ludlam, met to develop a new charter to drive the relationship between the three key players in Australia’s submarine force.

“Discussions between the parties have also focused on a way forward for HMAS Farncomb’s generator repairs and a maintenance schedule change which will improve overall submarine availability,” Mr Combet said.

HMAS Farncomb is in maintenance following the electrical failure of one of its three main generators last month.

The office will commence work in March and will operate as an integrated product team of Navy, DMO and ASC personnel led by DMO’s Director General Submarines Commodore Bronko Ogrizek.

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