Australian shipbuilder ASC has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the country’s Defence Science and Technology (DST) to further collaborate in the submarine-related technologies.

Commenting on the new agreement, Stuart Whiley, ASC CEO, said: “I’m delighted to secure ASC’s continued collaboration with DST and look forward to further benefits for Australia’s operational submarine fleet, the Collins class, across ASC’s responsibilities in submarine maintenance, sustainment, upgrades and life-of-type extension.”

He further said that the collaboration with Australia’s leading government sector defense research organization was important for the company’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“As the builder, design authority and maintainer of the Collins class fleet, which will be in service into the 2040s, ASC’s partnerships with subject matter experts and research organisations are a high priority,” Whiley added.

Since ASC and DST last formalized the collaboration in 2013, the organizations have delivered positive outcomes for Australia’s Submarine Enterprise in submarine structures, materials, hydrodynamics, signatures and diesel engines.