Company Will Establish an Australian Subsidiary

Prime contractor Naval Group has signed a subcontract with Jeumont Electric, under which the French company will design the main electric propulsion system for the Royal Australian Navy’s future ATTACK-class submarines. The company will establish an Australian subsidiary to manage support and sustainment activities, including the provision of training, specific maintenance tasks and spare parts.

“The selection of Jeumont Electric recognises the company’s significant experience on submarine programmes, including Australia’s COLLINS-class submarine programme” noted a Department of Defence statement. “The engagement of Jeumont Electric has been undertaken with the objectives of maximising Australian industry involvement in the ATTACK-class submarine programme, and ensuring we continue to develop the sovereign capacity to build, operate and sustain our submarines in Australia.” The statement also confirmed that Australian industry at large will have the opportunity to supply components of the main electric propulsion system for the programme.

This is the third subcontract for major subsystems for the ATTACK-class submarine agreed by Naval Group, with MTU designing the diesel generator rectifiers and Schneider Electric France to design the main DC switchboards.

Jeumont has also recently agreed with ASC to identify joint opportunities in both the COLLINS- and ATTACK-class programmes, as well as in Australia’s marine generator and rotating electrical machinery market.