Australia’s Future Submarine project officially opened an office in Cherbourg, France in a July 9 ceremony attended by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The office is a tripartite secure facility which will house submarine designers, naval architects and engineers who will work alongside each other on Australia’s Future Submarine Program.

The facility will be known as ‘Hughes House’, in recognition of Rear Admiral ‘Oscar’ Hughes, AO, RAN and his role in Australia’s submarine history as Director of the Collins Submarine Project.

“Today marks an important and tangible milestone for the program as the facility allows all three partners to work together in a modern and highly secure environment to further enhance and develop the already close partnership,” said Herve Guillou, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Naval Group.

More than 50 Australians will join Naval Group and Lockheed Martin Australia employees to progress the work of developing a mature design of the Future Submarine.