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| Existing Collins class Submarine |
SARAH MARTIN
THE head of Australia's submarine company has urged the Coalition to support the federal government's commitment to build a new fleet in Australia, to avoid a strategic capability gap.
ASC managing director Steve Ludlam said the $214 million committed by the Gillard government for early-stage design work was crucial to ensuring the submarines would be built in time to take over from the ailing Collins fleet.
He also said buying an overseas pre-fabricated submarine that would be suitable for Australian waters was not possible.
"I hope that if there is a change of government they would follow the commitment that has been delivered," said Mr Ludlam, the former head of Rolls-Royce Submarines in Britain.
SA-based Pacific Marine Batteries has spent more than $1 million on research and development in anticipation of providing power for the next generation of submarines.
Chief executive Steve Faulkner was hopeful an Australian-built fleet will allow the development of an advanced version of his company's 440-tonne battery, currrently used in the Navy's Collins Class boats.
The government has announced that it will build the new fleet in South Australia, regardless of whether the final design is a military off-the-shelf design, or an Australian model.
Read the full story at The Australian