Australia has taken a major step forward in its AUKUS commitments, unveiling a $30 billion blueprint to build a state‑of‑the‑art shipyard in Adelaide that will produce at least eight nuclear‑powered submarines in partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the Commonwealth will make an initial $3.9 billion “down payment” for the massive project at Osborne, with further funding to be released progressively as construction advances. The shipyard is expected to be fully completed by 2040, marking one of the largest industrial undertakings in Australia’s history.
Work is already underway. Enabling works worth $2 billion have begun, alongside construction of a $5 billion fabrication area and a $500 million Skills and Training Academy designed to prepare the specialised workforce needed for nuclear‑submarine production. Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI), the government‑owned developer, estimates the next major phase an outfitting area will cost $8 billion, while the consolidation, testing, launching and commissioning facilities will exceed $15 billion.
The South Australian government says the project will be a transformative economic engine. At least 4,000 workers will be involved in designing and building the shipyard itself, while 5,500 workers will support submarine production at its peak.
The investment marks a defining moment for Australia’s defence capability, signalling long‑term industrial, technological and strategic cooperation under the AUKUS pact.
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