The federal government has signed a contract with DCNS to initiate the design phase of the Future Submarine program, after the French naval shipbuilding company was announced as the preferred international partner for the design of the 12 submarines in April.

“The signing, ahead of schedule, of the design and mobilisation contract with DCNS demonstrates the Turnbull government’s commitment to ensuring the project is on track, and that planning and preparations at each step are consistently thorough,” stated Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne.

“Mobilisation and design activities will mark the start of the Future Submarine program, with work also commencing to maximise Australian industry involvement and early planning for the construction of the submarines in Australia.”

DCNS and combat system integrator Lockheed Martin Australia will be leading ‘industry days’ in November, and throughout 2017, across Australia.

“The design phase will enable Australia, in partnership with DCNS and Lockheed Martin Australia, to design a submarine that meets our unique capability requirements, which include superior stealth and sensor performance,” said Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne. “This will be essential to meeting the security challenges we face over the coming decades, as set out in the 2016 Defence White Paper.”