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

Thank you, Senator Fawcett. The 2016 Defence white paper stated that the future submarines would likely enter service from the early 2030s. Let me make it very clear to everybody in this chamber, and to all Australians: the future submarine program is on track to meet this time frame.

Our current Collins class submarines are a highly capable and potent national asset. They are halfway through their life and are being constantly upgraded right here in Australia to ensure that they remain regionally superior until the introduction of the Attack class submarines in the early 2030s. The competitive evaluation process that was completed in 2016 allowed this government to make a fully informed decision to build 12 new regionally superior submarines in Australia. That process found that there were no military off-the-shelf submarines internationally that met our very unique requirements. Can I say again: this is being delivered on track and on time.