The Australian Government has signed a $200 million agreement with the United States to procure additional MK-48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes, enhancing the lethality of the country’s submarine fleet.
The acquisition will bolster both the Royal Australian Navy’s existing Collins class submarines and future nuclear-powered submarines.
The MK-48 torpedoes, jointly developed by Australia and the United States, are capable of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. Assembly and testing of the torpedoes will take place at the Torpedo Maintenance Facility in Western Australia, which is certified to support both Australian and U.S. Navy platforms.
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy emphasized the strategic importance of the purchase, aligning it with the 2024 National Defence Strategy. The initiative underscores Australia’s ongoing defense partnership with the United States.