Australian government releases Submarine Industry Strategy

The Australian Government has released Australia’s AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, providing greater clarity to industry to grow and enter AUKUS supply chains. The Strategy outlines the prioritisation framework that will give businesses in Australia the confidence to invest in their own technical capabilities, personnel and facilities.

The Strategy is underpinned by the Government’s investment of $262 million to support local defence industry uplift as part of Australia’s AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program announced earlier this year.

“Australia’s AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy sets out how the Albanese Government will continue to implement initiatives and programs to support, guide and grow priority industry sectors, alongside our AUKUS partners,” said Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Defence.

“Our work does not stop here.  As a multi-decade, multi-generational undertaking which will create around 20,000 jobs across the country, the Strategy will continue to evolve in line with industry and capability requirements as the AUKUS pathway progresses.”

AUKUS is expected to create around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years across industry and government, says Defence in statement, including:

• Between 4,000 – 5,500 roles to support the build of our conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia
• Up to 4,000 workers to design and build the infrastructure for the submarine construction yard in Osborne
• Around 3,000 direct jobs over the decade to support the expansion of HMAS Stirling in Western Australia
• Around 3,000 direct jobs to support contingency and depot-level maintenance on nuclear-powered submarines at the Defence Precinct at Henderson when established.

“The opportunities presented for Australian industry through our nuclear-powered submarine program are immense, and the Strategy further explains the Australian Government’s commitment to create the opportunities for industry and to support them in accessing them,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for defence Industry and Capability Delivery.

“The conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine program will see … unprecedented opportunities for Australian industry as we develop the sovereign capacity to operate, build and sustain conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines here in Australia.

“Australian industry has incredible access to new and unique opportunities beyond our own submarines, now being able to work with our AUKUS partners and contribute to the sustainment and build of their submarines as we develop a strong, resilient trilateral submarine industrial base.

“This is our greatest ever industrial undertaking and this strategy will underpin our success.”

The Strategy sets out five critical lines of effort to boost Australian industry uplift:

• Creating demand clarity for industry
• Boosting investment attractiveness in critical areas
• Simplifying regulation
• Growing the skilled workforce
• Integrating Australian industry into US and UK supply chains

Australia’s AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy lays the foundation to support, guide and grow initiatives like these, in consultation with industry, unions and academia, and between Australia and our AUKUS partners, says Defence’s statement. The Strategy will evolve, it adds, as industry develops and Australia’s nuclear‑powered submarine program progresses.