Senate Notice Paper Question Nos 2077 & 2078
Schedule Number: 300212 & 300213		 Publication Date: 28 October 2009
Hansard: Page 7541

Defence: Submarines

 Senator: Johnston

Senator Johnston asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 13 August 2009:

  1. For the period 1 January to 30 June 2009: (a) which submarines in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet were: (i) fully operational with a full crew complement, and (ii) non-operational; and (b) for each submarine that was non-operational, what were the reasons for its non-operational status.
  2. For the period 1 January to 30 June 2009: (a) how many fully qualified personnel were permanently employed in the RAN to operate submarines; and (b) how many of these personnel were females.
  3. For the period 1 January to 30 June 2009: (a) which submarines were undergoing maintenance/refit programs; and (b) what was the length of time taken for each maintenance/refit program.
  4. How many personnel undertook international training programs directed at upgrading their skills to be eligible to command submarines.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable senator’s question is as follows:

  1.  
    1.  
      1. HMA Submarines Collins, Farncomb and Waller were fully crewed and fully operational at various stages during the period.
      2. HMA Submarines Dechaineux, Sheean, Rankin.
    2. HMA Submarines Dechaineux and Sheean were non-operational undergoing Full Cycle Docking in Adelaide as part of the planned maintenance and upgrade cycle.  HMAS Rankin is unmanned in Adelaide awaiting the start of its Full Cycle Docking.
  2.  
    1. 442 submarine qualified personnel. Not all of these officers and sailors are posted to submarine positions; some are working in other parts of the Navy or Defence.
    2. 28 submarine qualified personnel are female. Not all of these officers and sailors are posted to submarine positions; some are working in other parts of the Navy or Defence.
    1. HMA Submarines Collins, Farncomb, Waller, Dechaineux, and Sheean, underwent various levels of maintenance/refit during the period.
    2. The length of time for each maintenance/refit program varied depending on the type of planned maintenance and defect repair duration for un-planned maintenance. During the period in question this ranged from 11 to 26 weeks.
  4. One submarine qualified officer undertook the Netherlands Submarine Command Course. 

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