Australia invests in a new nuclear submarine shipyard

08:00

By: Sahili Aya

Australia invests in a new nuclear submarine shipyard

Australia has announced a major financial commitment to strengthen its naval capabilities, unveiling plans to invest billions in the construction of a new nuclear-powered submarine shipyard under the Aukus security partnership.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed an initial allocation of 3.9 billion Australian dollars (around 2.4 billion euros) to launch the project. The announcement marks a significant milestone in Australia’s long-term defense strategy and its alignment with the trilateral Aukus pact formed in 2021 between United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

The agreement was originally designed to counterbalance China’s growing influence across the Indo-Pacific region. As part of the framework, Canberra will acquire advanced U.S.-built nuclear-powered submarines equipped with conventional weapons, while also participating in joint development programs for cutting-edge military technologies.

According to the government, the long-term investment in the shipyard alone could reach 30 billion Australian dollars (approximately 18 billion euros). When factoring in the submarines and associated infrastructure, total program costs may approach 200 billion euros over the next three decades. Deliveries of U.S. submarines are expected to begin in 2032.

Defense Minister Richard Marles described the future shipyard, to be built near Adelaide in southern Australia, as a cornerstone of the country’s ambition to establish a sovereign nuclear submarine manufacturing capability. He emphasized that ongoing developments at the Osborne naval precinct demonstrate tangible progress toward that objective.

The Aukus partnership led to significant diplomatic tensions in 2021, notably with France, after Australia canceled a multibillion-dollar contract for French-designed submarines in favor of the new trilateral arrangement. Despite the controversy, Australian officials argue that the initiative is essential to securing long-term strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific.