2026 National Defence Strategy: Collins Class submarines funded for sustainment, upgrades into 2040s

“The government is investing $94–$130 billion over the decade to deliver undersea warfare capabilities. This includes ongoing investments to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS, sustain and extend the life of Navy’s Collins Class submarine fleet and continue to rapidly acquire uncrewed and undersea warfare support systems.

“Australia’s transition to conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines is underpinned by the ongoing availability of the Collins class submarine fleet,” according to the documents.

“The government is investing $7.8–$11 billion over the decade to ensure Navy’s Collins Class submarines remain a potent strike and deterrent capability.

“The Collins life-of-type extension program includes investments in … ongoing sustainment, including the full-cycle docking of Collins Class submarines to undertake deep maintenance and selected capability upgrades, cognisant of the material state of each submarine, to ensure the operational viability of the Collins Class into the 2040s; and the skilled workforce and infrastructure at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia and at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia to sustain the Collins Class fleet.”

The government is investing $4.8 to $5.8 billion over the decade to continue to develop and acquire cost-effective autonomous and uncrewed undersea warfare capabilities, such as plans to fund and introduce a fleet of Speartooth large uncrewed underwater vehicles.

Uncrewed and undersea warfare capabilities are considered to be force multiplier for crewed platforms and enhance the agility, asymmetry and survivability of the Australian Defence Force, according to the recently released documents.

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Capabilities like Speartooth and Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles are envisioned to support the ADF’s maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and enhance its ability to detect and strike at long‑range.

In wider 2026 National Defence Strategy news, the government is committing $425 billion over the next decade to overhaul the Australian Defence Force. To get there, the government is injecting an extra $14 billion over the next four years and $53 billion over the decade. This funding surge will see Australia’s Defence spending climb to 3 per cent of gross domestic product by 2033.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.