This audit series would assess the effectiveness of the Department of Defence’s (Defence’s) planning and implementation of activities to extend the life of the Collins Class submarine fleet.

The Australian Government announced the approval of a life-of-type extension (LOTE) for the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines. All six submarines are expected to undergo LOTE, extending the life of each submarine by 10 years. The audit series would first examine Defence’s identification of requirements, assessment of options, advice to the Government, and implementation of LOTE planning activities to date. Subsequent audits in the series would examine the upgrade process for the submarine fleet.