Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

This particular program is still in the preliminary design phase. However, despite this, we are already proactively engaging Australian industry to ensure Australian businesses are best placed to win contracts when the program enters production design phase, from 2023. But, today, already 1,600 Australian companies have registered interest in the Future Submarine program.

Australian companies are already benefitting from their participation in this program, in work such as research and development, exploring concepts ranging from autonomous navigation techniques to new methods of communication. Just two examples: Thomas Global Systems in Australia and Acacia Research in Adelaide are working on designs that will support the delivery of optronics, of radar and of navigational data distribution systems for the future submarine. Of course, all 12 boats will be built using Australian steel from companies like BlueScope.