BAE Systems Australia has welcomed a major contract extension to provide in-service periscope support for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) six Collins Class submarines.

Headquartered in South Australia, BAE Systems Australia has manufactured, sustained and upgraded the periscope systems for the Collins fleet for the life of their service, with staff at the company’s purpose-built facility in Mawson Lakes playing a key role in delivering the sovereign capability.

The contract will ensure continuation of maintenance and logistics services, engineering and supply support and program management of 16 periscope systems across the company’s facilities in both South Australia and Western Australia.

The $89 million, five-year contract extension was welcomed by BAE Systems Australia Managing Director, Defence Delivery, Andrew Gresham.

“BAE Systems Australia is a long-term sovereign capability partner to the Royal Australian Navy with more than three decades of expertise in the manufacture and build, sustainment and upgrade of Collins Class submarine periscope systems,” he said.

“We are delighted to confirm a five-year contract extension, building on our large body of work with the Submarine Enterprise that ensures the continued operation of the periscope systems, which are critical for the Collins Class fleet.

“The announcement underscores the importance of our company’s long-standing experience in delivering periscope systems in Australia and our local network of trusted industry partners delivering into the sustainment program.”

BAE Systems Australia will work with its local and supply chain partners to play a vital role in ensuring the readiness and structural integrity of the fleet’s periscope systems.

As part of the recent announcement, Defence also awarded Thales Australia a five-year contract extension to continue maintaining and upgrading the submarines’ advanced sonar systems.

Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group David Hanley said the contracts provided certainty for Australian workers.

“The Government’s Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan is delivering potent naval capabilities to protect Australia’s national security and grow Australia’s sovereign industrial capability.

“These contracts provide over 100 Australian workers with certainty in Australia’s national naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise.”