French shipbuilder Naval Group has announced the award of subcontracts for the design of the main storage batteries stages 1 and 2 for the Royal Australian Navy’s Attack-class submarines.
Adelaide-based PMB Defence and Greece-based Sunlight have been contracted to provide design, prototyping and qualification activities for the main storage batteries. Both organisations will provide Naval Group with the data necessary to select one as the preferred MSB design for the Attack-class program in 2022.
The batteries are responsible for supplying power to the propulsion system of the submarine and to other equipment on-board the ship. They directly impact the safety of the submarine when diving, making them a critical piece of equipment for the platform.
“The supply contract will be awarded to the organisation that provides a technically superior design, represents the best value for money and demonstrates a strong commitment to the program’s Australian Industry Capability requirements,” John Davis, CEO, Naval Group Australia said.
Naval Group is delivering 12 new diesel-electric submarines for the Royal Australian Navy under a contract from December 2016.
HMAS Attack, the first unit in the class, is slated for delivery in the early 2030s. With a design based on the Barracuda-class submarines that Naval Group is currently building for the French Navy. Australia’s Attack-class will measure 97 meters in length and have a surface displacement of around 4,500 tons.
