Australia to Build New Shipyard for Production of SSN-AUKUS Nuclear Submarines

Australia has officially announced plans to spend approximately $19.5 billion on the construction of a shipyard for the production of SNN-AUKUS nuclear submarines in Adelaide.

The new facility in the Osborne area is to replicate the production processes used by BAE Systems at its shipyard in Barrow, UK, according to Navy Lookout.

The project involves implementing a common methodology, uniform nuclear safety standards, and an integrated digital environment. Unlike the old British facilities, the Osborne shipyard will be built from scratch, incorporating digital shipbuilding principles to optimize material movement and module assembly.

The plans include the construction of a 420-meter-long workshop. Facilities for testing and commissioning nuclear submarines will also be created. After the expansion, the shipyard’s territory will triple in size, allowing for the simultaneous construction of large surface ships and nuclear submarines.

The program provides for the annual training of up to 1,000 interns directly at the facility to form a personnel reserve. The country’s government has already made an initial contribution of $2.5 billion to start the work, which will continue for more than a decade.

AUKUS defense pact

AUKUS is a trilateral defense pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The partnership was established in September 2021 to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region and counter China’s growing influence.

To confirm the defense partnership, the British submarine HMS Anson will arrive in Western Australia in the coming weeks. The submarine will undergo scheduled maintenance at HMAS Stirling, after which it will begin operations as part of the rotational forces.