Thales To Upgrade Sonar System For Australian Collins-Class Submarine

Thales has won a $100 million contract from Australia to design a major sonar system upgrade for Collins class submarines.

Thales Australia will engage other Australian-based companies including Sonartech Atlas and L3 Oceania, as well as suppliers from the United Kingdom (UK) and France, to design the Collins sonar system upgrade, Minister for defense Industry Minister Pyne said in a statement Wednesday.

“The sonar system upgrade will install improved sonar sensor arrays aboard each of the Collins submarines, as well as improved signal processing systems,” Minister Pyne said.

“Under the contract Australian industry will play a key role in delivering leading edge sonar capability for Australian submarines.” Pyne added.

The Australian industry component of the contract to be led by Thales Australia is worth in the order of $50 million, he said.