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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a major funding investment to develop Australia's future nuclear-powered submarine construction yard at Osborne, South Australia.
Defence Connect can officially confirm that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government will invest AU$30 billion (US$21.3 billion) to develop the nation's nuclear-powered submarine construction yard as part of the multi-billion dollar, multi-decade AUKUS trilateral partnership with the United Kingdom and United States.
The construction of the state-of-the-art facility is expected to generate up to 5,500 jobs across the 75 hectare site. It is expected that as part of the multi-billion dollar investment, the total foot print is estimated to cost more than AU$15 billion.
Construction on 'Area One' worth AU$5 billion, 'Area Two' worth approximately AU$8 billion, with "site enabling" works to be valued at more than AU$2 billion as part of what is being described as the world's "most advanced submarine yard" is already underway, with 'Area 2' construction to begin this year, while 'Area 3' construction set to begin in 2027, with construction of areas one and two expected to be completed by the mid-2030s.
Rather than being built as a single structure, it is expected that the submarines will take shape as massive modular sections, resembling enormous steel cylinders. These modules will move progressively through the three areas of the Osborne shipyard, largely in a vertical build sequence, transported on self-propelled modular platforms purpose-designed for the task.
Area 3 is responsible for the most technically demanding work take place inside the tightly controlled nuclear precinct, including the welding of the submarine’s sealed reactor, with the reactor never opened again for the vessel’s entire service life. The highly sensitive and secure, nuclear area and consolidation halls, are expected to be completed by the late-2030s.
Speaking to Paul Starrick of The Adelaide Advertiser, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "Investing in the Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne is critical to delivering Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines."
The Prime Minister stressed his emphasis on supporting the development of the nation's continuous naval shipbuilding industry, adding he would, "always back continuous naval shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing, which is vital to South Australia’s economy and long-term growth in local industry."
South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas again speaking to Paul Starrick, said of the new manufacturing yard, that it alone "[was] one of the biggest industrial and most complex infrastructure projects the country has ever embarked upon, if not the most complex."
"We’re best just focusing on how we realise this exceptionally large ambition for the betterment of everybody, none more so than future generations of South Australians. I can’t think of a more exciting and challenging task in my lifetime for the state. Think about it, this is $30 billion before a single widget on the submarine has been procured. This is just the yard. It boggles the mind," Mr Malinauskas explained.
More to come.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
