Australia Selects US Firm To Build Shipyard For 10,000-Ton AUKUS Nuclear Submarines

Australia has chosen a partnership between U.S. engineering company Amentum and Laing O’Rourke to help build a new shipyard at Osborne in South Australia for the country’s future nuclear-powered submarines.

Australian Naval Infrastructure selected the two companies as its Capability Partner for the project. The yard is expected to build Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS submarines, which are expected to displace about 10,000 tons.

At the same time, Australia is moving ahead with a A$12 billion upgrade of the Henderson shipyard near Perth in Western Australia. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the United States will be able to use the upgraded facility and expects U.S. nuclear-powered vessels to use its dry docks.

The two projects are part of Australia’s effort under the AUKUS partnership with the United States and Britain to develop a nuclear-powered submarine capability.

Amentum to support construction at Osborne

Amentum and Laing O’Rourke will work within Australian Naval Infrastructure’s Integrated Delivery Office under a long-term arrangement.

Their work will include managing nuclear-related parts of the program, overseeing construction and providing safety leadership. They will also coordinate different work packages and work with contractors involved in the project.

One of the main challenges will be coordinating nuclear and conventional construction areas at the site.

The Osborne facility will be Australia’s first dedicated construction site for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. It will need specialised facilities for assembling, outfitting, testing and commissioning the submarines.

Amentum has experience with nuclear submarine programs, including nuclear licensing and work with independent regulators.

Mark Whitney, president of Amentum Energy & Environment, called the project a “once-in-a-generation national endeavor” and said it could influence Australia’s nuclear capability for decades.

Amentum Australia managing director Kim Katheklakis said the company will provide support in areas including governance, logistics, commissioning and digital engineering. Supply-chain quality will also be part of its responsibilities.

U.S. submarines to have access to Henderson

The Osborne project is being developed alongside the major upgrade of the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.

Marles said Henderson is mainly being developed to support Australia’s future submarine fleet but is also being built as part of AUKUS. He expects U.S. nuclear-powered vessels to use the facility’s dry docks.

The project is part of a 20-year plan to turn Henderson into Australia’s main maintenance hub for nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Australia announced an initial A$127 million upgrade last year. The Defence Precinct is expected to support the construction of landing craft and general-purpose frigates, contingency docking and depot-level maintenance.

The project is expected to create around 10,000 direct jobs over time.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said Henderson will host U.S. and U.K. vessel rotations before Australia receives its first U.S. Virginia-class submarines.

Australia’s AUKUS submarine plans

The AUKUS agreement was signed in 2021 by Australia, Britain and the United States.

Under the agreement, Australia plans to acquire U.S. Virginia-class submarines in the near term and work with Britain to develop the next-generation AUKUS-class submarine.

Australia plans to build the SSN-AUKUS submarines at Osborne. The submarines are expected to weigh around 10,000 tons and will be nuclear-powered but conventionally armed.

This will give Australia a nuclear-powered submarine capability without nuclear weapons.

Building the fleet will require Australia to develop a skilled workforce, specialised supply chains and regulatory expertise to support nuclear submarine construction and operations over several decades.

U.S. industry and government agencies have already supported workforce development and submarine technology efforts under AUKUS.

Australia expects the AUKUS effort to create thousands of skilled jobs in South Australia. The Henderson project alone is estimated to support about 10,000 direct jobs over time.

The full Henderson Defence Precinct could require around A$25 billion over the coming decade, according to the information provided.

References: interestingengineering, australiatimes