ASC, BAE Systems to begin planning, procurement to build SSN-AUKUS submarines

The federal government has begun the industrial campaign which will ultimately see Australia construct SSN-AUKUS nuclear powered submarines at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide.

In March it was announced that the submarines, to follow on from the arrival of interim US nuclear powered vessels for service in the 2040s, are to be constructed by companies led by government owned submarine constructor ASC, and the UK owned BAE Systems Australia.

Now the government has signed a tripartite agreement with the Australian Submarine Agency, ASC and BAE Systems to commence preparatory work for the build of Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines.

This ‘collaborative mobilisation agreement' will enable planning, workforce development and procurement activities that will set the foundations for this complex, yet vital project.

ASC and BAE Systems will:

• Develop critical plans and schedules for the mobilisation of the SSN-AUKUS build programme
• Invest in developing and growing the submarine workforce
• Procure long lead items
• And undertake risk-reduction activities, initially through validating infrastructure requirements, configuring production, test and evaluation processes and conducting prototyping activities.

A partly constructed submarine shipyard at Osborne (pictured) begun for thew ill-fated French submarine construction effort will be vastly expanded to allow construction of the AUKUS submarines.

The Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said: “AUKUS is the largest and most important defence capability project Australia has ever embarked upon and it is happening now.

“The enduring partnership between ASC and BAE Systems solidified today is a monumental strategic asset for Australia and one that will provide decades of certainty for our defence industrial base and financial security for thousands of workers.

”This agreement enables critical scopes of work, including the development of the Australian shipbuilding workforce and supply chain, and underscores the…government’s commitment to a future made in Australia.”

ASC constructed Australia's Collins class submarines at Osborne and maintains them today in Adelaide and Perth, while BAE Systems Australia is constructing Hunter class frigates at a new, all digital shipyard at Osborne.

BAE Systems is Australia's largest defence manufacturer, and constructs the UK's nuclear submarine fleet where it is also involved in the design of a totally new submarine SSN-AUKUS.

ASC and BAE Systems plan a Joint Venture and continue to work collaboratively within the wider submarine enterprise as Australia progresses toward the historic defence capability acquisition, according to the government.

The Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “Today’s announcement is another major milestone towards the construction of Australia’s SSN‑AUKUS submarines in South Australia.

“These mobilisation arrangements provide the foundation that will underpin a generational uplift in Australia’s industrial base for the construction of this critical capability.

“Construction of Australia’s first SSN-AUKUS submarine will commence in Australia by the end of this decade and the work to deliver this capability is already well underway.

“This will be a whole-of-nation undertaking, one which will provide Australia with robust and resilient supply chains that enhance our national security.”

Further reading:
Companies welcome certainty over SSN-AUKUS sub construction
UK awards £3.95bn for next phase development of AUKUS N-submarine
Land swaps clear way for Adelaide AUKUS defence plans

Picture: A submarine construction yard lies partially completed at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide