The SIA today welcomed the release of British engineer John Coles' final report of his review of Australia's submarine sustainment capability.
The review affirms the SIA's long-held position that through-life sustainment of the submarine capability is just as important as the early decision on the type of submarine to be procured. The Coles Review concludes that Defence paid for too little attention to sustainment planning during the Collins project, and that our current problems stem from that lack of attention.
We must reform the submarine sustainment system now to improve Collins class availability and to avoid the same problems in the Future Submarine.
Australia has been a submarine-operating nation for much of the pass 100 years but the next century of Australian submarines will be much more significant to us, as the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions move to centre stage in the world.
The SIA's vision for Australia's future submarine capability is a strong fleet of submarines desiged for our specific operating needs and supported by a sustainable submarine industry capable of building, upgrading, repairing and maintaining our fleet.
Implementation of the Coles Review findings will be a significant step towards this vision.
Read the Defence announcement regarding release of the Coles Review here.
Download a copy of the Coles Review by clicking here. 
