Australia selects Saab's AUV62-AT for ASW training

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on 7 August that it has selected the Saab AUV62-AT autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) system as part of an AUD11 million (USD7.9 million) investment to acquire an advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training capability for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said in a statement that the new “intermediate anti-submarine warfare training target will enhance Australia’s warfighting capabilities” as it will simulate submarines and torpedos, providing “highly realistic live training scenarios for submariners, aviators, and surface vessel combat teams”.

A scale model of Saab’s AUV62-AT on display at the Pacific 2015 international maritime exposition in Sydney. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

The capability, which is part of plans announced on 1 July in the 2020 Force Structure Plan, will improve the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF’s) ASW proficiencies for more complex operations and environments, added the minister.