Patrick Durrant | Sydney
Ship and submarine builder and sustainer ASC released a statement late yesterday affirming its “enduring and critical role in growing and supporting Australia’s current and future submarine capabilities” in the wake of remarks by DCNS Australia Acting CEO Brent Clark that the company “will be consumed by DCNS”.
Clark appeared before a Senate hearing on Monday night and was responding to questions from Labor Senator Kim Carr on how DCNS viewed ASC's involvement in the build of the Future Submarines:
Quite simply, from our perspective, ASC will be consumed by DCNS
Senator Carr: “Is it your intention to actually act as the builder, rather than just as the designer of the vessels?”
Clark: “Yes.”
Senator Carr: “So will ASC actually be involved as builders?”
Clark: “No.”
Senator Carr: “So what role will they play in the Future Submarine program?”
Clark: “Quite simply, from our perspective, ASC will be consumed by DCNS.”
Clark also referred to a “gentlemen's agreement” apparently struck between himself and ASC CEO Stuart Whiley that ASC personnel working on the sustainment of the Collins Class submarines would not be poached by DCNS.
In the statement released late yesterday, ASC asserted itself as “Australia's sovereign submarine company, employing more than 1,200 of Australia's leading submarine platform personnel in SA and WA.”
The Commonwealth owned company stated it anticipated growing its workforce significantly in coming years as it maintained the Collins Class submarine fleet and met increased demand for future submarine capability.
“ASC’s maintenance of Collins Class submarines will be delivered through the In Service Support Contract, while current and future support for the Future Submarine program will be delivered under appropriate commercial agreements.”
Future Submarine program head Rear Admiral Gregory Sammut told the hearing that the extent to which ASC would or would not be involved in the build process was not fully defined and that some of its workforce would be shared with DCNS when shipbuilding starts. He also stressed that the workforce engaged in the building of the submarines would need to grow.
Clark also appeared to distance himself from the commitment made by his predecessor Sean Costello that 90 per cent of the work would be carried out in Australia, referring only to a target of at least 60 per cent. He said he did not want to provide a misleading figure and added that the company was still working with the Commonwealth on the requirements.
Senator Carr did not hide his surprise at the admission surrounding ASC's future involvement in the Future Submarine.
“For many people, the information we have heard today, it would be significant news, it would be a shock to them.”