Evaluation of Australia’s Future Submarine program proposals will now commence with all three potential international partners submitting their proposals in full, Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Marise Payne announced.
«The Government’s Competitive Evaluation Process remains on schedule with Defence receiving submissions from DCNS of France, TKMS of Germany, and the Government of Japan by the 30 November 2015 closing deadline»,’ Senator Payne said. «Since the CEP began in February, all three participants have worked closely with Defence and they should be congratulated for the hard work and significant investment they have made to reach this point».
Defence will now assess the ability of the participants to work closely with us, including how each proposal would meet our capability and sustainment needs, and how cost, schedule and risk would be managed throughout the program.
This program offers a once in a generation opportunity for Australian industry to innovate and be part of Australia’s Future Submarine. That is why the assessment will include the level of Australian industry involvement that will be possible under each option.
«Submarines are Defence’s most complex, sensitive, and expensive capability, so it is important that the evaluation process is thorough and robust»,’ Senator Payne said. «The evaluation process will be overseen by the Expert Advisory Panel to ensure it is conducted fairly and equitably, with advice to be provided to Government in 2016».
DCNS
DCNS on 27 November lodged its final deliverables to the Australian Government’s Competitive Evaluation Process to select an International Program partner for the SEA1000 Future Submarine Program.
The proposal includes a Government to Government Agreement from The French Ministère of Defence’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) to the Commonwealth of Australia’s Department of Defence and a binding written commitment on key aspects of the deliverables.
This milestone has been achieved on schedule and marks the beginning of the Commonwealth of Australia’s evaluation phase.
Mr. Sean Costello, CEO DCNS Australia, said, «DCNS acknowledges the dedication from hundreds of people in France and Australia to the development of the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A and a sovereign industry in Australia. We have worked as a team to create the best possible solution for Australia’s future».
