Another $200million worth of torpedos ordered

Australia is enhancing the lethality of its submarine fleet under a $200million agreement with the United States to acquire additional quantities of state-of-the-art torpedoes.

FILE PHOTO (2016): Able Seaman Matthew Dockrill conducts a routine inspection between the after body and fuel cell of a MK48 Heavy Weight Torpedo in the Torpedo Maintenance Facility at the Navy Guided Weapons Systems Program Office-West on HMAS Stirling. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko.

Designed for both anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, the additional stocks of MK-48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes will deliver a critical boost to the defensive and offensive capabilities of Australia’s Collins-class submarines.

The MK-48 is the product of a joint program between the Australian and United States governments, which involved the joint development of MK-48 hardware and software and which supports the acquisition and sustainment of the capability for both the Royal Australian Navy and United States Navy.

Australian MK-48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes are procured as sections that are assembled and tested at the Torpedo Maintenance Facility in Western Australia, which is also certified to assemble, maintain and test the weapon for use in United States Navy platforms.

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said the continuous joint development of the MK-48 Heavy Weight Torpedo provided the Australian Navy with the latest technology to counter current and future threats.

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