The Navy is looking at buying German subs to fill a gap before its French-designed fleet is ready. 

Reports say the Navy's Director-General of Submarines, Commodore Timothy Brown, has launched a preliminary study of Type 214 submarines manufactured by German company TKMS.

The Type 214 is a diesel-electric submarine currently in service for South Korea, Portugal and Greece. It does not meet all of Australia's requirements for a fleet to replace the ageing Collins Class submarines, but insiders claim Commodore Brown has asked about modifying a Type 214 for Australian purposes. 

Commodore Brown has denied the claim, but says he cannot elaborate because his work is highly classified.

TKMS originally bid to design and build Australia's future submarine fleet in 2016, but the $90 billion defence contract was eventually awarded to France's Naval Group company (then known as DCNS).

However, the federal government is growing frustrated with Naval Group, and may need to make an interim purchase before the French-designed submarines enter service in the mid-2030s.

Independent senator Rex Patrick, a critic of Naval Group, says it is right to look at options that Germany's TKMS could provide.

“I have been advocating a Plan B for our Navy for some time; this project is just too important to national security to not have one,” Senator Patrick said.

“There are many capabilities in the Type 214 that far exceed the capabilities of the Collins Class submarines.”

It is further reported that a confidential Defence study last year recommended looking at other submarine options, such as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and upgrades to the Collins Class fleet.

A decision on life-of-type-extensions (LOTE) for the Collins sub is expected this month. 

In a senate estimate hearing this week, Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty said he had “certainly thought more about this issue over the past 12 months”.

“It became clear to me we were having challenges with the Attack class program over the last 15 to 12 months,” he said.

“So, of course, you do reasonably prudent thinking about what one of those options might be or what you might be able to if you are unable to proceed.

“The department is doing prudent contingency planning, a number of offices, not just the navy, other parts of the department are involved from time-to-time in discussions.”

Naval Group Australia says it is still making progress on the Australian project.

“Naval Group is fully committed to continuing to achieve important program milestones,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“Significant progress has already been made on submarine design, workforce growth and Australian industry involvement.”