Launch of New Submarine Facility in WA

(April 30, 2008) -- Greg Combet, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today attended the launch of the new ASC West Facility in Western Australia.

The new facility represents an amalgamation of three service facilities into one consolidated state-of-the-art submarine support facility at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson.

The facility will allow for the conduct of submarine maintenance and capability enhancements to be conducted in an undercover and modern environment.

Mr Combet said the launch was, "A pivotal milestone for Australia's submarine community which represented a much needed and significant step forward, delivering a world-class submarine maintenance facility in Western Australia."

He said, "ASC West represents a major step forward in delivering greater capability and availability, while enabling more efficient sustainment and better value for money for the Commonwealth."

"The billion dollar Collins Class submarines have, to date, had to be maintained in very difficult conditions, open to dust, sand and weather.

"When ASC West becomes fully-operational next year, ASC will be better equipped to respond quickly to Navy requirements. A quicker turnaround time can only result in a better meeting of Navy's demanding operational requirements for the submarines," he said.

Mr Combet also thanked Alan Carpenter and the Western Australian Government for their significant contribution.

"The common user infrastructure that is being developed is fundamental to enabling ASC West to exist and undertake submarine maintenance in a dedicated and consolidated state-of-the-art support facility.

"Key enabling infrastructure, including a floating dock, a transfer system and wharf extensions will allow ASC to undertake its submarine maintenance tasks more effectively and efficiently than ever before," he said.

Source : MoD Australia

Recent News / Press releases from MoD Australia

• Multi-Role Helicopter Delivered by RAAF C-17 [Defence] [ Wed 25 Jun 2008 ]
• Successful Upgrades to F/A-18 Hornet Capability [Defence] [ Tue 24 Jun 2008 ]
• 1st MU90 Lightweight Torpedo Fires from an Australian Warship [Defence] [ Mon 23 Jun 2008 ]
• Roll-In of Airbus A330 for Air-to-Air Refuelling Modifications [Defence] [ Fri 6 Jun 2008 ]
• Launch of New Submarine Facility in WA [Defence] [ Thu 1 May 2008 ]
• Australian Firm Wins Body Armour Contract [Defence] [ Wed 2 Apr 2008 ]
• A Robot Watchdog to Sniff Out Radiation [Defence] [ Mon 31 Mrch 2008 ]