Australia will overhaul its fleet of six Collins-class submarines amid growing uncertainty over the induction timeline of 12 French-made replacements, The Australian has reported. Canberra will spend approximately $6 billion in a life-of-type extension for the submarines, defense minister Peter Dutton told the paper. The original plan was to refurbish just three of the underwater vessels, according to Defense Connect.
“We need to be realistic about what lies ahead by way of threat in our own region and the submarine capacity is a significant part of how we mitigate that risk and it’s important we get the program right,” Minister Dutton told the paper.
“There is no doubt in my mind that we need to pursue a life-of-type extension and we are working on that program now. All six would be on the schedule.”..MORE
