[2] The issues with the Collins class highlighted in the McIntosh-Prescott Report and the pressing need to have combat-ready submarines in the RAN fleet with the pending decommissioning of Otama, the final Oberon-class submarine in Australian service, prompted the establishment of an A$1 billion program to bring Dechaineux and sister boat Sheean up to an operational standard as quickly as possible, referred to as the "fast track" or "get well" program.

[11] The fast track program required the installation of reliable diesel engines, fixing hydrodynamic noise issues by modifying the hull design and propeller, and providing a functional combat system.

[17] The high-pressure seawater flooded the lower engine room before the hose was sealed off: it was estimated that if the inflow had continued for another twenty seconds, the weight of the water would have prevented Dechaineux from returning to the surface.

[20] The submarine was sent to the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson, Western Australia for repairs: these were completed within a week, and Dechaineux was operational by late November.

[21] During 2012, Dechaineux underwent an intermediate maintenance docking, assisted HMAS Warramunga during trials of the MU90 Impact torpedo, and participated in several training exercises.