The Australian government has committed A$3.9 billion (US$2.76 billion) as an initial investment towards construction of a new nuclear-powered submarine facility at Osborne near Adelaide in South Australia under the trilateral AUKUS programme.
State-owned Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) estimates the full development will cost around A$30 billion. This includes a 420m-long submarine fabrication hall valued at approximately A$5 billion, plus an outfitting facility estimated to cost A$8 billion.
Construction work has already commenced, with the site expected to be fully operational by 2040. At peak activity, around 4,400 personnel will be employed to support submarine construction operations there.
Citing Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, Director-General of the Australian Submarine Agency, national broadcaster ABC reported that US and UK experts will advise on the construction.
The facility is expected to be “identical” in layout to those in the UK, while incorporating the most modern systems among its counterparts.
Under AUKUS, Australia will initially acquire at least two second-hand Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines from the USA, before transitioning to the delivery of eight conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines (SSN) built in Australia between 2050 and 2060.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he remained confident the AUKUS programme would proceed, following discussions with US President Donald Trump.
“This is in the interest of the United States, in the interest of the UK and in the interest of Australia, and that is why this is a project that is progressing in accordance with, not just the principles, but the plan of action which we are rolling out,” he said.
The Osborne shipyard is also the construction site for the Royal Australian Navy’s six Hunter-class frigates, with sea trials for the lead ship scheduled for 2031. These are being constructed by BAE Systems Australia.
by Chen Chuanren
