Four major defence companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative combat systems team for Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS submarines. BAE Systems, Raytheon Australia, General Dynamics Mission Systems and Thales will work jointly on the design and integration of the combat system to support the AUKUS submarine program led by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The proposed AUKUS Combat Systems Collaborative Team aims to take part in developing the combat system for the SSN-AUKUS class, which will be based on the UK’s next-generation submarine design and include technologies from the three partner nations. According to the companies, the collaboration is intended to draw on a shared industrial base and reduce integration, workforce and schedule risks.
Under the MoU, the parties plan to design a tri-national command system that incorporates the existing U.S.-developed AN/BYG-1 submarine combat control system. AN/BYG-1 is currently in service on Australia’s Collins-class submarines and multiple U.S. Navy submarine classes. The companies say leveraging an already fielded system is expected to support continuity in training and sustainment across the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) submarine fleet.
Craig Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems Australia, said the signing marks a coordinated step in working with trilateral partners:
“This Memorandum of Understanding is another strategic step forward to developing the most effective and advanced combat system for SSN-AUKUS, simultaneously strengthening Australia’s operational sovereignty and industrial capability.
By aligning with our industry and trilateral partners, this signing will accelerate and enhance combat system development that is interoperable by design, reaffirming our role as a trusted partner to the Commonwealth of Australia and Royal Australian Navy.”
Raytheon Australia’s Managing Director, Ohad Katz, emphasized the company’s existing involvement in Australia’s submarine combat systems:
“As Australia’s sovereign submarine combat system partner, Raytheon Australia and our workforce bring more than 25 years of expertise in design, integration and sustainment, including upgrades and updates, of the Collins Class submarine combat system to this team, establishing the base for a truly sovereign capability ready to deliver the RAN’s most ambitious naval program.
As the RAN moves to a multi-class submarine fleet, leveraging the existing workforce, with proven processes that sustain Collins will ensure continuity, confidence, and low-risk delivery.”
Laura Hooks, vice president and general manager of Maritime and Strategic Systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems, said the agreement aligns with existing US and Australian collaboration:
“We are excited to formalize a collaborative path forward as we work together to strengthen critical defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
The MOU acknowledges that the team successfully delivering submarine combat system capability to the three nations via separate efforts today should be entrusted to sustain and integrate combat systems aboard Virginia and AUKUS submarines in the future, ensuring continuity, confidence, and low-risk delivery.”
Steven Lockley, Chief Operating Officer of Underwater Systems at Thales UK, highlighted the shared industrial approach:
“Success on international programmes such as AUKUS requires strong international partners in order to deliver maximum customer value and sustained capability. Thales is pleased to continue its long-term Combat Systems relationships with BAES and Raytheon Australia and look forward to also working with a new partner in General Dynamics, Mission Systems. Together, we will deliver a hugely capable and sustainable AUKUS Combat System maximising the attributes of our companies across the AUKUS countries.”
The SSN-AUKUS program will involve construction of submarines in both the UK and Australia. The Australian submarines will be produced in Adelaide.