Senate debates

Thursday, 13 October 2011

Questions on Notice

Defence: Submarines (Question No. 633)

Photo of David JohnstonDavid Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 29 April 2011:

Given that the replacement of the Collins Class submarines is scheduled to begin in 2024-25, what is the current schedule to retire each of the Collins Class submarines?

Photo of Chris EvansChris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The Collins Class Submarine life of type is currently planned to extend to around 2031, with the fleet being progressively withdrawn from service around 2025.

The life of the Collins Class is notional rather than fixed and will be influenced by the ongoing supportability and relative capability of the Collins Class