The Albanese Government has signed a four-year contract extension with James Fisher Defence (JFD) Australia, valued at over $90 million, to provide submarine escape and rescue services in support of the Collins class submarines.
This contract underscores the Albanese Government's commitment to backing local ingenuity and a future made in Australia, which is essential to supporting a critical workforce. It will directly support 46 jobs, primarily at Bibra Lake, south of Perth.
JFD Australia has provided this service to the Royal Australian Navy since 2009 and this contract extension is a demonstration of the Government's commitment to keeping our submariners safe.
The submarine rescue system is based in Western Australia, home of Australia's current Collins class submarines and the base for Australia's future conventionally-armed nuclear-powered Virginia class and SSN-AUKUS submarines.
The submarine rescue system includes a remotely operated vehicle to locate the submarine, a submarine rescue vehicle which is used to rescue submariners, and
a state of the art hyperbaric equipment suite to provide life-saving medical treatment.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:
"The Albanese Government is ensuring our submariners have access to the best submarine rescue systems that can protect their wellbeing and keep them safe.
"Investing in this sovereign capability ensures our local industrial base is able to retrieve a submarine crew anywhere in the world.
"JFD Australia is a world leading underwater provider of these systems and this contract extension ensures the highly skilled operators of these capabilities remain in Australia."
