Raytheon Australia has announced a significant contract extension valued at $277 million to continue its support for the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins-class submarine combat system. This renewed agreement underscores the company’s long-standing collaboration with Australia’s naval forces, a partnership that has been in place since the submarines first entered service in the mid-1990s.
Under the contract, Raytheon’s dedicated team of 150 personnel will be tasked with various critical functions, including system integration, ongoing maintenance, and essential upgrades of the combat system. The agreement entails significant responsibilities such as system architecture design, updates to the AN/BYG-1 combat system, and comprehensive logistics and warehousing services. Additionally, the contract will also support both shore-based and deployable technical assistance, further enhancing operational readiness.
A noteworthy aspect of the contract is its emphasis on workforce development. Raytheon Australia is set to implement training initiatives geared towards cultivating a new generation of engineers and technicians, helping to ensure that the Australian Navy can smoothly modernize its submarine capabilities while maintaining operational efficiency.
Ohad Katz, managing director of Raytheon Australia, highlighted the significance of this extension, stating, “This contract extension reinforces Raytheon Australia’s 25 years of expertise as the Collins Class submarine combat system partner.” This acknowledgment of experience reflects the company’s commitment to providing high-quality support to the Royal Australian Navy.
Raytheon Australia’s operations related to the Collins-class programs primarily take place at Perth’s Henderson Shipyard and HMAS Stirling, with additional contributions from the Osborne Shipyard in Adelaide and the company’s Sydney offices. Their collaboration involves local and international partners, including General Dynamics Mission Systems, which adds to the strength of their collective efforts.
Meanwhile, the broader Collins Life-of-Type Extension program, which aims to extend the service life of the submarines, is projected to require an investment between 4.3 and 6.2 billion Australian dollars (approximately $2.8 to $4 billion). This initiative was announced last year and aims to ensure that the submarines remain capable and mission-ready well into the 2040s. The program seeks to facilitate a seamless transition to Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered fleet.
Led by ASC, this extensive project involves collaboration with major industry players such as Saab Kockums, Thales, BAE Systems, Pacific Marine Batteries, and James Fisher Defence, all working together to uphold the operational integrity and efficiency of the Collins-class submarines in the years to come.
